The Court of Appeal, Akure Division, Ondo state, yesterday convicted and sentenced a 37 year-old-man, Ijiwande Francis to 15 years in a correctional centre for rape.
The accused was arraigned before the court on a three count charge of rape, indecent assault and defilement contrary to section 357 and 358 and punishable under section 360 and 218 respectfully.
The convict committed the offence on November 4, 2010 and was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court Ile-ife on December 8, 2010.
State Prosecution Counsel Moses Faremi (Esq) had earlier called four witnesses and tendered five exhibits in the course of the trial before Hon. Justice Akanbi Siyanbola of the Osun State High Court, Ile-Ife division. The court discharged the accused on March 11, 2013.
Unsatisfied with the judgement of the High Court, the state filed an appeal.
In his judgment Justice Oyebisi Omoleye set aside the judgment of the lower court a found the accused guilty of the charges preferred against him and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment without the option of fine.
