Don’t imprison me, I have ‘psychiatric health challenges’, soldier who allegedly raped student begs court

A Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital has remanded Lance Corporal Sunday Awolola in prison custody for allegedly raping a 300-level female student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko.

The Chief Magistrate, Mayowa Olanipekun, gave the remand order despite pleas by the defence counsel, Kayode Ikotun that his client was mentally imbalanced in an effort to secure his bail.

The prosecuting counsel, Adeoye Adesegun, had earlier prayed the court to remand the suspect in prison.

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In his submission, the defence counsel, while objecting to the remand request, said Awolola was facing “psychiatric health challenges” and should be granted bail. He argued that the suspect, whose wife recently put to bed, was deployed to Akure from Maiduguri to take care of his health and family.

Magistrate Olanipekun however ordered that the soldier be remanded in custody at the Olokuta Maximum Prison pending legal advice from the Ministry of Justice.

He also ordered that the original case file of the suspect be duplicated and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

The case was adjourned until November 15th.

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