An Akure Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of 20-year-old Samson Okegbua at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for the alleged r@pe of an 18-year-old girl who hawks herbal medicine and ponmo in the Ijagba Community, Ifon. The defendant faces a charge of r@pe, contrary to Section 3(a), (b) and (c) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2020.
Prosecution's Case
The prosecutor, ASP A. Jejeniwa, informed the court that the defendant allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim on June 11, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. within the court’s jurisdiction. Jejeniwa urged the court to remand the defendant pending the issuance of advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Victim's Testimony
The victim, whose identity was withheld for protection, testified that she was hawking herbal medicine and ponmo on the day of the incident. She alleged that the defendant and another suspect, identified only as Junior, who remains at large, called her and requested to buy ponmo worth N200. After collecting the ponmo, the two men claimed they had no cash. Junior later attempted to withdraw money from a Point of Sale (POS) operator but said the bank network was unavailable. The victim stated that the men persuaded her to accompany them to their residence to collect payment. Once inside the house, she claimed the defendant and his accomplice forcefully restrained her, covered her mouth to prevent her from raising an alarm, and subsequently r@ped her.
Court Decision
Based on the evidence presented, the magistrate ordered the remand of Okegbua at the Olokuta Correctional Centre until the DPP issues legal advice on the case. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.
