According to Vanguard. The Ondo State Police Command has charged Taiwo Mufutau, a 35-year-old herb trader, with defiling his 8-year-old biological daughter. Mufutau was charged with one count of rape, a violation of Section 25 (a) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2021.
Martins Olowofeso, the police prosecutor, told the court that “the defendant was seized on June 18, 2004, following a report made to the Anti-kidnapping Unit at Alagbaka concerning his inappropriate contact with his daughter. Olowofeso stated that the prisoner was then detained for additional investigation.
The criminal charge states: “That you, Mufutau Taiwo, 35, male, on June 5, 2024, at about 4: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 informed the court that Taiwo and his wife fled their home after the incident and travelled to Osun State to obtain a false doctor’s report declaring that nothing happened to the girl.
Olowofeso also stated that the Police Investigating Officer (IPO) performed another test in Akure, which proved that there was penetration and the girl had been bleeding for three days.
According to him, the defendant confessed to the alleged crime when being questioned by the investigating officer. The defendant’s plea was not taken due to the nature of the offence. Through an application, Olowofeso sought the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending guidance from the Department of Public Prosecutions.
However, the defendant’s counsel, G.O. Omoedu, advised the court that his client had only recently been served and would want some time to answer on issues of law. Omoedu thus sought the court to adjourn the matter so he could respond to the remand application.
The trial Magistrate, B.A. Alipohul ruled that the defendant be remanded in police custody. Alipohul then deferred the case until July 4, 2024, for a hearing.
