The alleged molestation case of a former member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, by a traditional ruler in Osun State, during her one-year mandatory youth service in the state which has being in court for about two years now is gradually coming to a conclusion as an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has fixed judgment on the case for June 4, 2013.
Alowa of Ilowa-Ijesha, Oba Adebukola Alli, had since 2011 been standing trial for allegedly forcing himself on Helen Okpara, a former NYSC member while serving in his kingdom.
At the close of the case, yesterday, Justice Oyejide Falola fixed the date for judgment after adopting the submissions of all the parties involved.
The traditional ruler had during the trial, admitted to having carnal knowledge of the then corps member, but insisted that Helen Okpara was his lover and that the she willingly consented to the s*xual intercourse that happened on the day in question.
Okpara however denied the monarch’s submission, stressing that the traditional ruler forcefully made love to her on the fateful day at Rasco Allison Hotel Osogbo, owned by him.
Counsel to the accused, Mr. E.A Gbadegesin announced the adoption of his written address filed on April 6, and the Director, Public Prosecution, DPP, who is also the prosecutor confirmed his submission at the court yesterday.
Mr Gbadegesin who absolved Oba Alli of any complicity in the criminal charge, urged the court to “discharge the accused monarch and dismiss the claim of the prosecutor”.
Leading other State Counsels, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mr. Dapo Adeniji told the court that “we equally filed our own reply to the defence counsel’s address.”
In his response to their submissions, the presiding judge, Justice Oyejide Falola adjourned the case till June 4 for judgment.
what a day