BY GBENGA OLARINOYE
OSOGBO — After about two years of legal fireworks on the alleged rape of a former member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, by a traditional ruler in Osun State, Alowa of Ilowa-Ijesha, Oba Adebukola Alli, an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has reserved judgment in the case till June 4, 2013.
Oba Alli has since 2011 been standing trial for allegedly raping Helen Okpara, a former NYSC member while observing her mandatory one year service in his domain.
At the close of the case, yesterday, Justice Oyejide Falola fixed the date for judgment after adopting the submissions of all the parties involved.
The monarch had during the trial, insisted that Helen Okpara was his lover and that the victim willingly consented to the sexual intercourse that happened on the day in question.
But the ex-corps member denied the monarch’s submission, stressing that the traditional ruler forcefully made love to her on the fateful day at Rasco Alli Hotel Osogbo, owned by the monarch.
At yesterday’s sitting, counsel to the accused, Mr. E.A Gbadegesin announced the adoption of his written address filed on April 6, and the Director, Public Prosecution, DPP, who is also the prosecutor confirmed his submission.
While absolving Oba Alli of any complicity in the criminal charge, Mr Gbadegesin urged the court to discharge the accused monarch and dismiss the claim of the prosecutor”.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mr. Dapo Adeniji leading other State Counsel told the court that “we equally filed our own reply to the defence counsel’s address.
The presiding judge, Justice Oyejide Falola at this point consequently fixed June 4 for judgment over the matter.
Comments are moderated. Please keep them clean and brief.