An Akure Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a 30-year-old man, Samson Okegbua, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over the alleged rape of an 18-year-old female hawker in Ondo State.
Okegbua was arraigned on a charge of rape, contrary to Section 3(a), (b) and (c) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2020.
The prosecution counsel, ASP A. Jejeniwa, informed the court that the defendant allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim on June 11, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. in Ijagba Community, Ifon, within the court’s jurisdiction.
Jejeniwa urged the court to remand the defendant pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Giving evidence before the court, the victim, whose identity was withheld, said she was engaged in hawking herbal medicine and ponmo in the community on the day of the incident.
She alleged that the defendant and another man identified only as Junior, who is currently at large, approached her and requested to buy ponmo worth ₦200.
According to her, after collecting the item, the two men claimed they had no cash available.
She said Junior later returned after allegedly attempting to withdraw money from a Point of Sale (POS) operator, but informed her that the banking network was unavailable.
The complainant told the court that the men subsequently persuaded her to accompany them to their residence to receive payment.
She alleged that upon arrival at the house, the defendant and his accomplice forcibly restrained her, covered her mouth to prevent her from calling for help, and sexually assaulted her.
Following the prosecution’s application, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings and advice from the DPP.
