Rape: Osun traditional ruler arraigned in court

The Alowa of Ilowa-Ijesha in Osun State, Oba Adebukola Alli, on Wednesday appeared before an Osogbo chief magistrates’ court on charge of rape of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in his domain.

Oba Alli was said to have raped one Miss Helen Okpara, a corps member serving in his domain, on March 25, 2011, at about 6.00 p.m at Rasco Alli Estate, Osogbo.

The traditional ruler, who had earlier been charged at a senior magistrates’ court in March this year, was accompanied to court by one of his wives and was ordered by Senior Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode to remove his cap, an order he promptly obeyed before the case was eventually transferred to the chief magistrates’ court.

Mr Ijiyode, before transferring the case, had said he had interest in the matter because of the challenges it posed to his position and profession, but stressed that “as a senior magistrate grade 1, I do not have the right to preside over such case.”

The case was eventually transfered to the chief magistrates’ court.

While appearing before Chief Magistrate Akinwumi Makanjuola, where his case was transferred, Oba Alli was accused of committing the offence on March 25, 2011; did unlawfully have canal knowledge of one Helen Okpara, without her consent by means of threat, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 357 and 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol 11 laws of Osun State, 2003.

The traditional ruler pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence