An Ogun State High Court heard on Wednesday how a suspected armed robber, identified only as Moses, allegedly raped a woman and threatened her family in the Sagamu area of the state.
Testifying before Justice O. S. Oloyede, the victim’s husband, Japhet Akawe, recounted the harrowing ordeal, stating that the defendant also stole his wife’s mobile phone and a motorcycle belonging to his brother.
According to Akawe, the incident occurred on March 18, 2023, while he was away. His wife, sister, and brother had gone to their farm to harvest cassava when the defendant attacked them at gunpoint.
He explained that his wife managed to call him using his sister’s phone, informing him that the assailant had forcefully taken her mobile phone, dragged her into the bush, and sexually assaulted her.
“On March 18, 2023, around 3 p.m., I received a call from my wife through my sister’s phone. She told me that the defendant had snatched her phone, taken her into the bush, assaulted her, taken a naked picture of her, and put a pepper-like substance on her face,” Akawe narrated.
Following the attack, Akawe said he arranged for a friend to take his wife to a clinic for treatment.
Shortly after, he called her stolen phone and the defendant answered. He said the suspect mocked him and said he could have kidnapped his wife.
“Later, the defendant called me and warned me not to attempt contacting my wife’s phone or the number he was using. He threatened to come after my family if I disobeyed,” he added.
The situation worsened when the owner of the stolen motorcycle held Akawe’s brother responsible.
The brother was taken to court and, unable to meet bail conditions, was remanded in prison.
Akawe later negotiated with the motorcycle owner and settled the matter out of court.
Akawe reported the attack to the Sagamu Police Station and provided them with the phone number the suspect had used to threaten him.
Three months later, law enforcement officials tracked the number, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
During cross-examination, the defence counsel, D. O. Efuwape, questioned Akawe on how he identified the suspect.
Akawe responded that he recognized the suspect’s voice from their phone conversations.
The trial continues as the prosecution presents further evidence against the accused.
