An Osun State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ila-Orangun has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Raji Ridwan, to three years of imprisonment with hard labour for attempted rape.
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The verdict, delivered on Friday, June 20, followed Ridwan’s arrest by operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps, who investigated his unlawful entry into a female hostel at the Federal University of Science, Ila-Orangun, where he attempted to sexually assault a female student.
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According to court proceedings, Ridwan sneaked into the hostel at night and tried to assault one of the residents. However, the victim fought back and raised the alarm, which alerted neighbours and fellow students, prompting them to come to her aid.
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Ridwan fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after, during a coordinated manhunt organised by the Osun Amotekun Corps. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime upon his arrest and was arraigned before Magistrate Ibukun Adeniran on a single count of attempted rape. He pleaded guilty to the charge.
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During the trial, the prosecution presented Ridwan’s confessional statement through the investigating officer from the Osun Amotekun Corps, along with the testimony of a key witness. Magistrate Adeniran ruled that Ridwan’s actions violated Section 359 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. She subsequently convicted him and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a fine.
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In response to the court’s decision, the Osun Amotekun Corps reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in addressing sexual and gender-based violence throughout the state. The corps praised the victim’s bravery and the vigilance of residents, whose swift intervention led to the arrest and successful prosecution of the offender.
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