3 men arraigned for alleged abduction, rape

Three men were on Friday brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly abducting and having sexual intercourse with a 28-year-old lady.

The defendants are: Sholanke Juwon, 35-year-old welder, Gbolahan Olawale, 37-year-old phone engineer and Gorioye Simoyan, 35-year-old hotel assistant, all residing in Igando, Lagos.

They are facing a five-count charge bothering on conspiracy, Robbery, unlawful intercourse, abduction and receiving stolen goods.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendants had committed the offences on Oct. 16 at Skitto Hotel, Igando, Lagos.

He alleged that Sholanke had raped one Miss Ewatomi Asho, 28, in a hotel after luring her on WhatsApp social media platform.

“Sholanke, through a WhatsApp platform, sought the service of the victim to come and do a makeup home service for his female friend who was to get married.

“Sholanke, after raping the victim, armed with a knife, robbed her of some belongings such as Infinix smart phone valued N70,000, a cash sum of N50,000, gold necklace, earrings and leg chain valued N120,000.

“Asho was also dispossed of her First bank ATM card of which the defendant used in withdrawing the sum of N20,000,” the prosecutor said.

According to the prosecutor, the second defendant, Simoyan was the manager in the hotel where the incident took place.

He alleged that Simoyan was aware of Sholankes’ excapade, which he covered up by helping to detain the complainant.

“He said the third defendant Olawale conspired in the crime also by dishonestly receiving the complainants Infinix phone knowing fully well that it was the stolen property,” the prosecutor said.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 260, 268, 297, 299 and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

He said section 268 states that any person with intent to marry or have sexual intercourse with any female of any age, detains her against her will is reliable to seven years’ imprisonment.

“Section 260 states that anyone who has sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life,” the prosecutor said.

However, Barr. Adenike Adeshola, counsel to the second and third defendants prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

Adeshola said their offence was a bailable one.

The magistrate, Mrs O.A Ajayi, ordered the first defendant Sholanke to be remanded in prison at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, pending when the case would be filed at the appropriate court.

She, however, granted bail to Simoyan and Olawale in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in the like sum.

Ajayi said one of their sureties each must be a civil servant on level 14.

She adjourned the case till Dec. 17 for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution.