The Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, has arraigned two commercial motorcyclists before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl.

The defendants, Tope Ademeso and Igbekele Akinsioye, were dragged before the court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape.

The prosecuting counsel, O.F. Akeredolu, informed the court that the defendants, both residents of Continental Street, Akure, the state capital, committed the offence on August 6, 2025, at approximately 10 pm at their residence in Akure.

Akeredolu alleged that the two men conspired to have unlawful sexual intercourse with the complainant, a 17-year-old girl (name withheld).

The charge read, “That you, Tope Ademeso and Igbekele Akinsioye, on or about the 6th day of August, 2025, at about 10:00, at Continental Street, Akure, Akure South Local Government area of Ondo State, did conspire together to commit a felonious offence, rape, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Vol. 1, laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“Furthermore, you, Tope Ademeso, and Igbekele Akinsioye, on the same date and time, did intentionally penetrate the vagina of a 17-year-old girl (name withheld), thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 3 (1) and punishable under Section 3 (2)(c) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.”Newspaper subscription bundles

With the court not taking the defendants’ pleas, Akeredolu urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defence counsel, Godwin Bernard, stated that the accused persons did not commit the alleged crime, claiming it was a matter of a payment dispute following consensual intercourse between the defendants and the complainant.

Bernard urged the court to refuse the prosecution’s request and grant bail to the defendants under the most lenient conditions, arguing that there was no probable cause for their remand.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the case to September 1 for ruling on the bail application and consequently ordered their remand at the Olokuta Correctional Facility. (The Guardian)