Following the outcome of the judgment of a Magistrate Court sitting in Akure on the 15th of February 2022, the Ondo State capital on the case of one Omoyeni Opeyemi, a 34years old woman, charged to Court on the allegation of attempted murder of a 12 years old boy, Joel Sunday, the Child Protection Network(CPN), Ondo State chapter has expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu for playing an active role in ensuring that justice is served for the victim.
The Coordinator, CPN,Mrs. Olabisi Omolona while also appreciating the judiciary for prompt delivery of judgement on the matter, encouraged all residents in Ondo State to be their brothers keeper and to speak up in the face of violence saying it is time to ensure that there is no hiding place for perpetrators of such evils.
While also enjoining them not to take laws into their hand but to report cases of child abuse/assault at appropriate quarters, Mrs. Omolona expressed hope that the judgement will go a long way in serving as deterrent to others just as she appreciated members of CPN in the state for following up on the case.
The allegation of attempted murder of 12 years old Joel Sunday by Omoyeni Opeyemi was charged to Court on a 5 counts charge of Pain and Infliction of injury and after the Prosecutor had withdrawn Counts 2 and Counts 4 of the charge against the Defendant, the Defendant pleaded ” guilty ” to Counts 1 and 5 of the charge and pleaded ” not guilty ” to Count 3.
Barrister Folusho Kayode, the Defendant’s Counsel had pleaded for leniency with the Court on behalf of the Defendant on the premise that the Defendant is solely responsible for the well being of the 12 years old Joel Sunday and also her biological children. Learned Counsel revealed to the Court that the Defendant had borne this burden of care alone since the demise of her husband 4 years ago. He also went further to plead that the Defendant is a first time offender.
The Magistrate in his Judgement on the 2 Counts the Defendant pleaded guilty to, convicted the Defendant and sentenced her to 3 and half years for Count 1 and 1 year for Count 5.
The Court further adjourned the case to 13th April, 2022 for trial on count 3 which is “Trafficking of person” contrary to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Ondo State 2015, which the Defendant had pleaded not guilty to.
The children of the Defendant have since been taken to the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
