Ogun High Chief docked for rape, abduction

An Egba high chief identified as Adenekan Olanrewaju was, on Thursday, arraigned before an Ogun State Chief Magistrate Court siting in Isabo, Abeokuta on a nine count charge of stealing, abduction as well as rape among others.

Adenekan, who is the Baale of Jangede village in the Obafemi – Owode Local Government Area of the state was also accused of stealing the sum of N.3 million belonging to one Soleye Sotande under the pretense of selling two plots of land to him at Jangede village.

In the charge sheet read before the Court presided over by Chief Magistrate O.A Sofowora, the police Prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Ehiagbejiale stated that the accused abducted a 15 year old girl, Adenekan Abosede to an hotel at Jangede village and attempted to rape her before her miraculous escape.

The police prosecutor further stated in the charge sheet that Baale Olanrewaju forcefully entered into a two plots of land in the village belonging to one Oluremi Okanlawon as well as another half plot of land belonging to one Adeoye Gbemisola thereby committed offense punishable under the laws.

The Baale was also accused to have conspired with others now at large, to conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by threatening to kill the duo of Okanlawon, Gbemisola and four other persons who bought land from him should they enter the village again

Inspector Ehiagbejiale further informed the Court that the offenses are punishable under Sections: 86, 249, 359, 361, 390 (sub. sec. 9), 419, 451 among others of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun state of Nigeria 2006.

But applying for his bail, counsel to the accused Baale, Barrister Bunmi Adelabu prayed the court to grant the bail on the ground that none of the nine count charges carries death penalty if at all the Baale is eventually found guilty of any of them.

Adelabu further premised her prayer on the ground that such is a Constitutional provision as expressly stated in the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution which presumes an accuse innocent until proven guilty.

Citing relevant cases which included Dokubo Asari vrs. FGN 2007 as well as Abacha vrs. State 2002, Section 7 SC Part 1, the counsel further argued that her client does not have any criminal records prior to the incident and that he had been cooperating with the police since the commencement of investigation.

“As a respectable Baale, appointed by the Alake of Egbaland, with no fewer than 15 villages under him, my client will not jump bail, he is not a miscreant. Aside from this, the bail will also afford him the opportunity to prepare for this matter very well”.

Ruling on the bail application however, Chief Magistrate Sofowora granted the accused a bail to the sum of N250, 000 with a two sureties in the like sum.

While adjourning the case till 24th October this year, the Magistrate further ruled that the two sureties, one of which must be a high chief of a well respected city and another, a gainfully employed civil servant of not less than Level 12 with each having landed property and evidence of tax payment of three years.

The accused Baale was, however, to remain in Prison custody pending the period when he would be perfecting his bail conditions.