Magistrate Court Sentences 25-Year-Old to Three Years Imprisonment for Attempted Rape Following Arrest by Osun Amotekun Corps

The Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, has sentenced one Raji Ridwan, aged 25, to three (3) years imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of attempted rape. This judgment was delivered on Friday, following the diligent efforts of operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps, who arrested the suspect shortly after the incident occurred.

The convict was found guilty of attempting to rape a female student of the Federal University of Science, Ila-Orangun. According to court proceedings, the incident occurred when Raji Ridwan forcefully gained unauthorized access into the hostel where the victim resides and made an unlawful attempt to sexually assault her.

However, the victim bravely resisted the attack and immediately raised an alarm, prompting neighbors and co-residents to intervene. The defendant fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by personnel of the Osun Amotekun Corps, following a coordinated search effort.

Upon arrest, Raji Ridwan voluntarily gave a confessional statement, admitting to the crime. He was subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Ibukun Adeniran of the Chief Magistrate Court, Ila-Orangun, where he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of attempted rape.

During the trial, the prosecution called a key witness and tendered the defendant’s confessional statement through the investigating officer from the Osun Amotekun Corps. The prosecution successfully established that the offence committed is contrary to, and punishable under, Section 359 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

Having reviewed the facts of the case and the plea of guilt by the defendant, Magistrate Ibukun Adeniran found Raji Ridwan guilty and sentenced him to three (3) years imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a fine.

This conviction underscores the Osun State Government's zero-tolerance policy toward sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the unwavering commitment of the Osun Amotekun Corps to uphold public safety, justice, and community protection.

The Osun Amotekun Corps commends the swift intervention of concerned citizens and reiterates its continuous collaboration with security and judicial institutions to ensure perpetrators of violent crimes are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Signed:

Yusuf Idowu Abass

Public Relations Officer

Osun Amotekun Corps