Sunday, June 22, 2025 - An Osun State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ila-Orangun has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Raji Ridwan, to three years of imprisonment with hard labour for attempted rape.
The verdict, delivered on Friday, June 20, followed Ridwan's
arrest by operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps, who investigated his unlawful
entry into a female hostel at the Federal University of Science, Ila-Orangun,
where he attempted to sexually assault a female student.
According to court proceedings, Ridwan sneaked into the
hostel at night and tried to assault one of the residents. However, the victim
fought back and raised the alarm, which alerted neighbours and fellow students,
prompting them to come to her aid.
Ridwan fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after,
during a coordinated manhunt organised by the Osun Amotekun Corps. The suspect
reportedly confessed to the crime upon his arrest and was arraigned before
Magistrate Ibukun Adeniran on a single count of attempted rape. He pleaded
guilty to the charge.
During the trial, the prosecution presented Ridwan's
confessional statement through the investigating officer from the Osun Amotekun
Corps, along with the testimony of a key witness. Magistrate Adeniran ruled
that Ridwan's actions violated Section 359 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume
2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. She subsequently convicted him and
sentenced him to three years of imprisonment with hard labour, without the
option of a fine.
In response to the court's decision, the Osun Amotekun Corps
reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property,
particularly in addressing sexual and gender-based violence throughout the
state. The corps praised the victim's bravery and the vigilance of residents,
whose swift intervention led to the arrest and successful prosecution of the
offender.
0 Comments