An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti division, has given a 24-year-old man, Segun Iwaetan, a maximum sentence of death for his involvement as a member of a secret cult and for rape.
The victim of the rape, a 20-year-old student of Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, who was also the defendant’s neighbour was molested under the threat of firearms.
The victim’s statement read, “The defendant was my neighbour. On that day, he gained access to my room around 3am; he pointed a gun at me and ordered me not to shout or else he would shoot me.
“He ordered me to undress and forcibly had sex with me. As of the time he raped me, I was still a virgin. Thereafter, he begged me to forgive him and I should not tell anybody.”
The defendant was tried on seven counts bordering on rape, membership of a secret cult, ownership of firearms, etc.
The charges read in part, “Segun Iwaetan and Atila Iwaetan (now at large) on January 16, 2021, on Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, did conspire to commit burglary and stealing by breaking into the shop of Olayemi Oyerinde, and receiving stolen property such as 50 jean trousers, 15 polo shirts, 30 pairs of leather slippers, among others, worth over N1.8m.
“Also, on February 5, 2021, the defendant raped a 20-year-old Federal Polytechnic student on Odo Ado Street, Ado Ekiti, while unlawfully in possession of two guns. He was on February 10, 2021, found to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity cult.”
Five witnesses were called to stand by the prosecutor, Albert Adeyemi. He tendered the defendant’s statement, a medical report, a search warrant and two locally-made guns as exhibits.
Iwaetan, who spoke through his counsel, called no witness.
Justice Adeniyi Familoni convicted the defendant on four of the charges.
The defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and death for his involvement in the secret cult.
Familoni said, “The defendant is sentenced as follows: conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms, 12 years’ imprisonment each without any option of fine; sentences are to run concurrently from the date of the arrest and detention of the defendant.
The court sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for rape.
The judge said, “The sentence of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead and may the Lord have mercy on your soul,” for his membership of Eiye Confraternity.
