Ekiti: Cultist sentenced to death by hanging

An Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced one Segun Iwaetan, to death by hanging for being a cultist and raping a 20-year-old virgin.

The court sentenced the 24-year-old man to death by hanging for being a cultist and to life imprisonment for raping his neighbour, who is a student of Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, at gunpoint.

Iwaetan was tried on a seven-count charge bordering on rape, unlawful firearm possession, and secret cult membership, among other offences.

According to the charge, “Segun Iwaetan and Atila Iwaetan (now at large) on January 16th, 2021 at Federal Polytechnic Road, conspired to commit burglary and stealing, break into the shop of one Olayemi Oyerinde, received stolen properties such as 15 polo shirts, 50 jean trousers, 30 pairs of leather slippers among others, worth over N1.8million.

“On February 5th 2021, Iwaetan raped a 20-year-old student at Odo Ado Street, Ado Ekiti, while unlawfully possessing two guns. He was, on 10th of February 2021 found to be a member of the Eiye confraternity secret cult,” it stated.

The rape victim in her testimony, stated, “On that day, the defendant gained access to my room around 3am, and pointed a gun at me as he ordered me not to shout or else he would shoot me. He instructed me to undress and forcibly had sex with me. As at the time he raped me, I was still a virgin. Thereafter, he begged for forgiveness and asked me not to tell anyone about it.”

The prosecutor, Albert Adeyemi, called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, search warrant, two locally made guns as exhibits and medical report.

Justice Adeniyi Familoni, delivering the judgment, sentenced the defendant on four of the charges.

The judge said, “The defendant is convicted as follows: Conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms, he is sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each without any option of fine, sentences are to run concurrently from the date of his arrest and detention of the defendant.

“On rape, the court sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment,” while for membership of Eiye confraternity secret cult, the judge told the defendant, “The sentence of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead and may the Lord have mercy on your soul