By Felix Kuyinu
A trial against one Taiwo Oyelabi who has been alleged of raping his biological daughter has begun at the IIkeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court.
Oyelabi was arrainged on a single count of rape charged against him by the police.
While informing that the act violates Section 358 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015, the Inspector, Bakare Iyabo, said that the defendant was apprehended on April 16, 2018 following a report made at the Igando Police Station.
Iyabo stated that the victim, one of the suspects two daughters became pregnant following the molestation. She also said that the arrestee confessed to the crime during a questioning by the Igando Divisional Police Officer.
Further revelations on the matter were made at the court stating that the second daughter fled from home due to incessant inappropriate advances made by the accused.
The Prosecutor presented statements allegely signed by the defendant and the victim. She said that Oyelabi was transferred to the Gender Police Station for further investigation on April 17, 2018.
However, Counsel to the accused, Onome Akpnye, objected to the admissibility of the written statements, claiming they were obtained under duress and not submitted voluntarily.
Akpnye asserted that the presented copies were not originals and did not comply with Section 104 of the Evidence Act.
Justice Ramon Oshodi, presiding over the case, carefully examined both sides’ arguments. He acknowledged the defence’s objection but deemed the prosecution’s actions substantially compliant with Section 104 of the Evidence Act
Consequently, he overruled the objection and allowed the statements as evidence, proceeding with a mini-trial to determine the validity of the statements.
During this process, Inspector Iyabo reiterated that the defendant was neither beaten nor threatened while in custody.
Conversely, the defendant, taking the stand, claimed he was subjected to physical assault by police officers. He denied being responsible for his daughter’s pregnancy and alleged that the community chief, with whom he had a prior disagreement, spitefully reported him to the authorities.
Justice Oshodi, therefore, adjourned the case until July 10, 2024, to allow both legal teams submit their closing arguments.
