By Abiodun Bolujoko
The Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Tuesday, remanded a 3-1year-old vigilante, Sikiru Bolaji over alleged rape.
Bolaji was dragged before Magistrate Olabisi Olawoyin for criminal force, criminal intimidation and rape contrary to section 263, 396 and 282 of penal code law.
The police First Information Report (FIR) revealed that the case was transferred from Area Command Ilorin to Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department and referred to Anti-Human Trafficking, Women and Children Protection Unit for further investigation.
The FIR further revealed that one Esther Salami on her way to a night vigil service at Source of Mercy St. Michael Primary School Ilorin was intercepted at about 11:00pm by one vigilante, Sikiru Bolaji.
It further revealed that Bolaji asked Salami where she was going to but as she was about to respond, he started beating her with a stick, asked her to kneel down and later to sweep the floor.
Salami took her to a corner where he forcefully penetrated her with his fingers and later had sexual intercourse with her.
After the act, Bolaji was said to have asked the victim to swear with his riffle not to disclose what happened to anyone.
The prosecutor, Alhassan Jibrin prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison custody as a duplicate of the case file has been sent to the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) for judicial advice.
On his part, Bolaji, said “I don’t know what went wrong with me, I cannot explain how it happened.” In his ruling, Olawoyin remanded the accused person in prison custody.
The case was adjourned to 13th June, 2019 for further mention.
