An Ado Ekiti Division of the Ekiti State High Court has sentenced 47-year-old Prophet Adeleye Akingbaso to life imprisonment for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.
The cleric was brought to court in September 2022 on charges of rape and coercion. The charges alleged that in July 2022, in Ado-Ekiti, he raped the minor and also coerced her into sexual acts in July 2021, jeopardizing her physical and mental well-being.
According to the charges, “These offenses contravene Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, and Section 4 of the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, No.18 of 2019.”
During her testimony, the victim recounted her experience, describing the cleric as a family friend who stayed at their home while her mother worked night shifts. She revealed that on one occasion, the Prophet woke her in the middle of the night, claiming she had wet the bed. He then applied shea butter to her vagina, after which she realized she had been raped. The Prophet threatened her with curses if she disclosed the incident.
The following day, he returned to their home while her mother was still out. In the kitchen, he attempted to continue the abuse but was interrupted when the girl cried for help, prompting neighbors to rush to her aid. They later informed her mother, who reported the matter to the police.
Prosecutor Taiwo Ariyo presented four witnesses and submitted the victim’s statement and a medical report as evidence. The accused, represented by his lawyer Adelanke Akinrata, did not call any witnesses in his defense.
In her judgment, Justice Blessing Ajileye declared the cleric guilty on both counts. She stated, “This court finds the defendant guilty of the two charges of rape and coercion. This verdict serves as a warning to others who believe they can evade justice.”
For the rape charge, the defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment, and for coercion, he received a three-year sentence, both to run concurrently.
