Pastor Sentenced to Life in Prison for Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

The Ekiti High Court in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced 47-year-old Prophet Adeleye Akingbaso to life imprisonment for the heinous crime of raping a 13-year-old girl.

Originally brought to court in September 2022, Akingbaso faced a two-count charge of rape and coercion, which culminated in the serious charges against him.

Justice Blessing Ajileye, who presided over the case, made the ruling public during court proceedings on Monday, ensuring that the severity of the crime did not go unpunished.

Akingbaso was first arraigned in September 2022 before Justice Blessing Ajileye on a two-count charge of rape and coercion.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Ajileye said, “In conclusion, this court has found the defendant guilty on the two-count charge of rape and coercion and convicted him accordingly.”

She said this would serve as deterrent to others in the class of the convict who have not been caught up with by nemesis.
During the trial, the Prosecution Counsel, Taiwo Ajibulu told the court that the convict committed the offences sometime in July 2022, in Ado-Ekiti.

He said that the defendant raped the 13-year-old girl (names withheld) and also coerced the victim to engage in sexual acts to the detriment of her physical and psychological well-being.

According to him, the offences contravened 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.

To prove its case, the prosecutor called four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and the girl’s medical report as exhibits.