By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, on Monday sentenced Isha Muhammad to a seven-year imprisonment for rape.
The convict was arraigned on 3rd of August, 2020 on a three-count charge of rape, defilement and indecent assault contrary to Section 357, 218 and 360 and punishable under Section 358, 218 of the Criminal Code Cap. 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State.
The Prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice Barrister Idayat AbdRahamon during trial called five witnesses and tendered six exhibits which were admitted in evidence by the Court.
Among the exhibits tendered before the Court are confessional statement of the convict, circumstantial evidence and medical report among others.
Counsel to the convict, Barrister J. O. Babalola called three witnesses including the convict three exhibits in favour of Convict.
Barrister Idayat told the Court that on the 19th day of April, 2020, at about 8:00pm, the victim Victoria Oyinlola 8 years girl of Ojomu Compound, Igbaye, was inside the kitchen when the convict Isah Mohammed (the victim’s grandfather’s tenant) suddenly attacked her, covered her mouth, laid her on the floor and forcefully and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of her.
She stated further that on 20th April, 2020, Araoye Bolanle 26 years (the victim’s aunt) saw house flies on the victim, Victoria Oyinlola, and this observation prompted her to do thorough checking on the victim.
She said she later discovered that there was blood and sperm stain on the victim’s private part when she wanted to bath her.
Victoria Oyinlola then narrated how she was raped by Isah Mohammed to her aunt.
Araoye Bolanle took the victim to Okuku Divisional Police Headquaters to report the incident. The Police took the victim to the Adventist Medical Centre for medical test and treatment and the accused was arrested.
On his judgement Justice Olusegun Agboola found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
Defilement attracted seven years imprisonment and he was sentenced to one year imprisonment while indecent assault sentence would be served concurrently.
