Court Remands Islamic Cleric for Allegedly Raping 14-Year-Old Girl in Ondo

Court Remands Islamic Cleric for Allegedly Raping 14-Year-Old Girl in Ondo

Akure, Nigeria – An Akure Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a 43-year-old Islamic cleric, Alabi Oloye, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl in Ondo State. The suspect, who serves as a religious teacher, appeared before Magistrate Taiwo Lebi facing charges of forcefully having carnal knowledge of a minor—an offense that has drawn widespread outrage from child rights advocates and residents of the state capital.

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Augustine Omhenimen, the cleric allegedly raped the teenager on May 1, 2026, at approximately 9:45 a.m. The incident took place at Ogbe Secondary School, Oda Town, located within the Akure Magisterial District. Authorities have withheld the victim’s name to protect her identity as a minor and survivor of sexual assault.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged rape is contrary to and punishable under Section 3(a) and (b) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021. This law specifically criminalizes rape and sexual violence, imposing severe penalties on convicted offenders. The Ondo State government has increasingly invoked this statute as part of its zero-tolerance policy on gender-based violence.

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Inspector Omhenimen prayed the court to remand the Islamic cleric at the Olokuta Correctional Facility pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP’s review will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to transfer the case to a higher court for trial. The defense counsel, Samuel Jemiluyi, urged the court to admit his client to bail. However, the magistrate noted the seriousness of the offense and the need to ensure the suspect’s availability for further proceedings.

In a significant development, the Director of Legal Services at the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, John Dada, informed the court that the agency had officially taken over the case from the initial complainants. Dada asked the court to disregard the bail application, emphasizing that the agency’s involvement guarantees thorough prosecution and protects the interests of the 14-year-old rape survivor. The agency’s takeover reflects the state’s commitment to ending sexual violence against children.

Presiding Magistrate Taiwo Lebi ruled that the Islamic cleric be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the DPP’s legal advice. The magistrate declined to grant bail at this stage, citing the gravity of the alleged crime and the need to prevent witness interference. The court adjourned the matter to August 4, 2026, for mention. At that hearing, the DPP’s advice is expected to determine whether the case proceeds to trial.

This case mirrors other recent child rape proceedings in Ondo State. On the same day as the cleric’s remand (May 13, 2026), Magistrate O.T. Lebi ordered the remand of a 34-year-old Togolese national, Biola Muhammed, for allegedly abusing a 13-year-old girl, adjourning that case also to August 4, 2026. Previously, in April 2025, an Akure court remanded Itunu Abiodun, 29, for defilement, and another magistrate ordered the detention of Imeje Matthew Daniel, 62, in a separate child sexual abuse case—all pending DPP advice.

Local residents and child protection groups have condemned the alleged act, calling on the judiciary to ensure a speedy trial. Sexual violence against minors remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, with Ondo State emerging as one of the more proactive states in prosecuting offenders under its anti-GBV legislation.