According to Vanguard, the Ondo State Police Command has arraigned a 35-year-old herb seller, Taiwo Mufutau, before a family Magistrate court in Akure for allegedly defiling his 8-year-old biological daughter. Mufutau faces a single charge of rape, violating Section 25(a) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021.
Police prosecutor Martins Olowofeso informed the court that the defendant was apprehended on June 18, 2024, following a report to the Anti-kidnapping Unit at Alagbaka about his inappropriate relationship with his daughter. Mufutau was subsequently detained for further investigation.
The charge sheet states: “That you, Mufutau Taiwo, 35, male, on June 5, 2024, at about 4:00 pm at No. 40 Egbe-Road, Ayedun Quarters, Akure, did have carnal knowledge of your daughter, (name withheld), aged 8 years old, of the same address, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(a) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2021.”
The police prosecutor also revealed that after the crime, Taiwo and his wife fled to Osun State to obtain a fake doctor's report claiming nothing had happened to the girl. However, another test conducted in Akure revealed evidence of penetration and that the girl had been bleeding for three days.
During questioning, the defendant allegedly confessed to the crime. Due to the nature of the offence, Mufutau's plea was not taken. Olowofeso requested the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The defendant's counsel, G.O. Omoedu, informed the court that his client had just been served and requested time to respond to the remand application.
Magistrate B.A. Alipohul ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to July 4, 2024, for hearing.