An Ondo State High Court has sentenced 61-year-old Pastor Famakinwa Ajayi, to 18 years imprisonment for defiling and impregnating a 16-year-old girl.
The clergyman was dragged before the court by the state government after it was discovered that the suspect who is a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayede Ogbese, in Akure North council area of the state, raped and impregnated the victim.
The suit No: AK/195C/2021, was filed on behalf of the Ondo State Government by Mrs. Helen Falowo (Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Ondo State Ministry of Justice). The suspect was charged to court on a two (2)-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, contrary to Section 31(1)of the Child’s Rights Law of Ondo State and sexual abuse and exploitation contrary to Section 32 (1).
Falowo told the court that the defendant defiled and repeatedly had carnal knowledge of the victim at his house in Ayede Ogbese township in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, where the family of the victim were tenants. She also told that court that the defendant also allegedly raped the victim at the market square where he took her on the pretext of delivering her from demonic spirits.
“He continued in this dastardly act unabashedly till the innocent minor became pregnant in October 2021.”she said
When the charges were read to him. the defendant claimed he slept with the victim only once in his living room before he was charged in court.
Justice Yemi Fasanmi, while delivering judgment, discharged and acquitted the defendant on Count 2 but found him guilty on Count 1 and proceeded to convict and sentence him to 18 years imprisonment.