Court remands father for ‘defiling’ eight-year-old daughter in Ondo

A family court in Ondo has ordered the remand of one Mufutau Taiwo, a 35-year-old herb seller, for allegedly defiling his eight-year-old daughter.

The police in Ondo charged Taiwo with a single count of rape under section 25(a) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021.

Martins Olowofeso, the police counsel, told the court that the defendant was apprehended on June 18, after a report was made against him at the anti-kidnapping unit in Alagbaka.

Olowofeso said the defendant was detained for further investigation.

“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), female, 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 charge sheet reads.

The police counsel said Taiwo and his wife fled their home after the crime and went to Osun state to obtain a fake doctor’s report claiming that nothing happened to the girl.

The lawyer further told the court that the police investigating officer (IPO) conducted another test in Akure, the Ondo capital, which revealed that there was penetration and the girl had been bleeding for three days.

He added that the defendant confessed to the alleged crime during questioning by the investigating officer.

However, the plea of the defendant was not taken due to the nature of the offence.

Olowofeso prayed the court to remand the defendant to the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the issuance of advice from the department of public prosecutions (DPP).

G.O. Omoedu, counsel to the defendant, informed the court that Taiwo had just been served the application, noting that he would need time to respond on points of law.

He asked the court to adjourn the case to enable him to reply to the remand application.

B.A. Alipohul, the presiding magistrate, ordered the defendant remanded in police custody.

She adjourned the case until July 4 for a hearing.