Court denies suspected rapists bail application

AN Akure Chief Magistrate Court has remanded a 71-year-old man, Alhaji
Ganiyu Kolawole and two others in prison custody for alleged rape
While the 71year old man raped a 7 year-old girl, Michael
Julianah-Taye, the two other accused persons Banjo Olasehinde, 25, and
Wale Fadahunsi, 28, and four others now at large reportedly gang raped
another 16year old school girl .
Chief Magistrate Mrs Charity Adeyanju ordered that the 71 year old
accused person should be kept behind bars pending advice from the
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Adeyanju added that the prosecutor should duplicate the case file and
forward it to DPP in the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) prosecutor,
Mr.Okai Felix told the court that the accused person had unlawful
carnal knowledge of Michael without her consent.
Okai said that the accused committed the offence on Dec.2, 2013 at about
1:30pm at Oba-Ile in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
According to prosecutor, the offence is contrary to and punishable
under section 218 of the criminal code ACT L.F.N, 2004.
However, the plea of the 71 year old accused person was not taken by the court.
Chief Magistrate Adeyanju adjourned the case till February 27, 2013 for mention.
Meanwhile, the same Court has ordered that the two of the six member
of a cult group known as "blue Angel" that gang raped the 16 year old
secondary school girl be remanded in prison.
Banjo Olasehinde and Wale Fadahunsi and four others now at large
reportedly gang raped the teenager while on her way from school last
week Thursday, filmed the act, forced to smoke cigarette, drink dry
gin, while they cut her hand, licked her blood and forced her to do
same.
The victim was threatened by the rapist that she would die if she
report the incident to her parent or the police because of the blood
Convenant.
According to the charge sheet, the duo committed the offence at about
1:30pm on December 5, 2013.
They were arraigned on a four count charge of assault and rape.
Their plea was, however, not taken.
Prosecuting the case on behalf of NSCDC, Barr. Okai Felix Opaluwa said
the offence contravenes Sections 516, 357, 360, 64 (a) and 359 of the
Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Barr. Opaluwa, therefore, prayed the court for adjournment to enable
him to duplicate the case file and forward same to the Director of
Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Counsel to the accused, Barr. Bunmi Olonimoyo told the court that
sending the case file to the DPP does not prevent the court from
granting his clients bail.
He, therefore, urged the court to take their plea and grant them bail.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Charity Adeyanju in her ruling said that the
court lacks jurisdiction to try such matter.
Adeyanju therefore denied the bail application and ordered that the
accused persons be remanded in Olokuta Prison.
She thereafter adjourned the case till February 27, 2014 for mention.