Checking prevalence of rape cases in Osun

Alarming as such accounts may sound, current statistics, however, confirm such viewpoints. For instance, statistics from the three magistrate courts in Osogbo, the state capital, indicate that not less than 25 cases of rape were brought before the courts between January and September this year. In these cases, most of the accused persons are currently […]

Alarming as such accounts may sound, current statistics, however, confirm such viewpoints.

For instance, statistics from the three magistrate courts in Osogbo, the state capital, indicate that not less than 25 cases of rape were brought before the courts between January and September this year.

In these cases, most of the accused persons are currently on bail, while those found guilty in the decided few cases have been imprisoned.

Concerned observers, however, moan that rape cases have become so rampant in Osun State, noting that the trend has even become quite worrisome because the perpetrators include some respected members of the society.

They lament that the crime involves the elderly, the youth and even the disabled.

Some of the observers point at a traditional ruler of a town in the state who was charged to court for alleged raping a youth corps member serving in his domain.

The victim alleged that the monarch lured her into his apartment in Osogbo and forcefully had sex with her.

The case, which has yet to be decided, is before the state High Court in Osogbo.

In another rape case, two police corporals were arraigned in July for raping a teenager in Ilesa, a town in the state.

It was alleged that the girl was going on an errand to a place when the two police officers accosted her and sexually assaulted her.

Besides, a primary school teacher in Osogbo was arrested and charged to court in February for having canal knowledge of his two pupils, aged five and seven.

It was alleged that the teacher lured the two minors to the school toilet where he was caught in the act.

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo on July 20 sentenced a 56-year-old father of five to 14 years’ imprisonment for raping a teenager.

In its presentation before the court, the police said that the convict on June 11 in Osogbo conspired with another teenage girl who lured the victim to his house where he raped her for about two hours.

Under interrogation, the man confessed that he had slept with many minors in the past through the help of his accomplice, the teenage girl who, he said, had been assisting him to get young girls to satisfy his libido.

The police also said that they discovered in the course of their investigation that the convict had slept with his accomplice on two occasions before she started luring her friends into the man’s snare.

All the same, observers say that the rising menace of rape in Osun State reached a crescendo in July when a 60-year-old grandfather was arraigned before a court for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl at Oora village, near Ilesa.

The cry of the hapless girl attracted other villagers who rescued her, according to eyewitness accounts.

People are, therefore, tempted to question the rationale behind the upsurge in rape cases.

Dr Temilola Omosanya, a Psychiatric Consultant at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, says that while some rape cases of rape could be attributed to psychiatric disorders, a greater percentage of the cases are criminally motivated.

“One of the reasons why the crime is on the increase is that people find it difficult to report rape cases to security operatives because of the fear of the victims’ stigmatisation.

“This makes the perpetrators to go unpunished, repeat the heinous acts, while the victims continue to suffer in silence with the psychological trauma,’’ she says.

Omosanya, nonetheless, advises rape victims to always speak out and visit hospital where a doctor could examine them.

“After the medical examination, the doctor will document some evidence of rape, which could be tendered as evidence if the case is eventually reported to the police and taken to court,’’ she adds.

Nevertheless, Omosanya insists that every member of the society has one role or the other to play in efforts to tackle the rising menace of rape.

A police officer, Insp Isiaka Ajadi, however, says that the lack of cooperation on the part of rape victims is largely responsible for the delay and poor prosecution of rape cases.

He notes that some of the complainants even prefer out-of-court settlement after the arraignment of suspects.

“You hardly see them to testify as witnesses when trial begins and once a case is adjourned for several times, the court has no other option than to strike it out,’’ he said.

Ajadi, nonetheless, appeals to parents and guardians to always take care of their female children, while educating them about the kind of company they should keep.

He also calls on the government to sensitise the citizens to the effects of rape, while urging rape victims to be bold to pursue their case in courts instead of settling it at home.

Ajadi stresses the need for such approach, saying that rapists ought to be punished to serve as deterrent to other criminally minded people.

However, Mrs Mofolake Adegboyega, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, says that the Osun State Government has intensified efforts to sensitise the people to the dangers and consequences of rape.

She says that some workshops and seminars are currently being organised across the state to create appreciable awareness for parents, children and other members of the society on the menace of rape and how to prevent it.

Adegboyega, nonetheless, urges the citizens not to feel shy to report any case of rape or attempted rape to appropriate authorities for action.

She vows that the state government will not allow perpetrators of rape to escape justice.

In spite of the soothing assurances, observers maintain that the fight against rape is a collective war which should involve government, organisations, security agencies and every member of the society.

Such concerted efforts will surely stem the crime from growing into dreadful proportions, some of the observers say.

(NANFeatures)