School proprietor bags 10 years for raping pupil

An Ado Ekiti High Court yesterday sentenced the owner of God’s Grace Nursery and Primary School, Mr Babatunde Ibitoye, to 10 years in prison for raping a 10-year old pupil of his school.
Ibitoye, whose school is located at Fayemi Market, Agric Olope area, Ajilosun in Ado Ekiti, committed the offence on June 10, 2013.
Justice Toyin Abodunde agreed with the evidence of the plaintiff, saying she was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the proprietor sexually abused the girl who was his pupil at the time of the offence.
The state Ministry of Justice had through suit number HAD/F11/2013 preferred a one-count charge of rape against him on December 3, 2013.  Justice Abodunde said she agreed with the argument  of the DPP and the victim’s evidence  to the effect that  the defendant was caught on the scene of the incident and could not have denied knowledge of the offence.
In her reaction, the chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Mrs Rita Ilevbaren, commended the judgement and urged victims of rape to always speak out, saying silence would never help.
The school has remained shut since Former governor, Kayode Fayemi’s administration  ordered  its closure.