Punch
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 32-year-old Martins Ifebuchi and 19-year-old John Joseph to 17 years’ imprisonment each for raping a girl, 15.
The two men, who were tried on two counts of conspiracy and rape of the victim on May 8, 2021, in the Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, were found guilty as charged.
Justice Adeniyi Familoni, said, “The offence of rape is a heinous crime, an act of utmost inhumanity that is devastatingly damaging. It becomes worse when the victim is a person of tender years, as in this case.
“The defendants deserve such punishment that should serve as a deterrent to others with similar tendencies. Conclusively, I hold that the prosecution has successfully proved the alleged offences of conspiracy and rape against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
“Consequently, the defendants are found guilty of the offences of conspiracy to rape and rape of the 15 year-old-girl on May 8, 2021.
“The defendants are each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on the count of conspiracy and 10 years’ imprisonment each on the count of rape without option of fine. The sentences are to run concurrently with effect from the date of his judgment.”
In her recorded statement, the victim said, “The first defendant (Martins) and my mother were both tenants in the house. My mother used to travel to buy goods to take care of him and the brother.
