A serving Corps member, Soji Ezekiel, has been arrested by the Police in Osun State for allegedly raping an undergraduate of Osun State University, Osogbo.
According to report, the female victim (name withheld) was said to have gone to Soji’s room behind Nawarudeen Primary School, Oke-Baale area, Osogbo Local Government Area of the state to charge her phone when Soji allegedly took advantage of the power outage in the area to forcefully force her to bed.
It was gathered that the student lives off-campus and had gone to charge her phone in Soji’s apartment with her friend on the night of Friday, February 16, 2024.
After the two ladies got into the suspect’s place, the victim’s friend reportedly left the room immediately after plugging her phone to attend to other things but before she could return to check her phone, her friend had been screaming in the room as Soji, also known as SOJ, allegedly raped her twice.
The corps member, who was said to be serving in Ilorin, Kwara State, but often visits Osogbo whenever he is on break, allegedly threatened to kill the victim with a bottle if she fails to allow him satisfy his sexual desire.
It was further learnt that the suspect refused to open his door when neighbours were banging it repeatedly and trying to rescue the female undergraduate.
According to an eyewitness, it was after a vigilante officer in the area visited Soji’s apartment with a gun and shot into the air, that the suspect opened the door and freed the victim in the wee hours of Saturday, February 17.
A team of policemen later arrived at the scene and arrested Soji.
Some residents notified a human rights activist, Citizen Lola Wey who followed the matter up and brought it to the attention of the state government.
“The victim had been taken to the hospital for necessary medical examination and treatment. The police are already involved and they arrested the suspect.
“However, I heard they have granted him bail. But, we will assist the victim in getting justice because she was highly traumatized by the incident,” Wey told The Point.
When Soji was contacted on the telephone to get his own side of the story, he neither admitted nor denied the accusations, saying the State Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the matter.
He said, “The case is already with the State CID and we are on it. I met with their lawyer (victim’s lawyer) and we went to the hospital for a medical test and the police were there.
“So, now, I don’t think I have anything to say unless we are with the police. The police are doing their job.”
However in a statement made available to reporters Ademola Adesoji Public Relations Officer, Osun State University, the institution said it has not found concrete evidence to confirm that the victim is indeed a student of UNIOSUN.
The statement reads: “We, at Osun State University have noted with concern the recent reports circulating in the media regarding an alleged rape incident involving a student and a Corps Member. While we take any case of sexual assault with utmost seriousness and empathy, it is imperative to clarify certain details to ensure accuracy and avoid misinformation.
“As of our preliminary investigation, we have not found concrete evidence to confirm that the victim is indeed a student of Osun State University. We emphasize the importance of accurate reporting, especially when it comes to sensitive matters that can significantly impact the reputation of an organization and its students.
“Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students remains unwavering. However, we urge bloggers and media outlets to exercise caution and diligence in their reporting, ensuring that they verify information thoroughly before dissemination.
“Cases of sexual assault are deeply distressing, and our thoughts are with anyone who may have experienced such trauma. We encourage victims to report incidents promptly to the appropriate authorities, including the police and the university’s security, to ensure a swift and just resolution.
“We await the conclusion of the ongoing police investigation into this matter, and we trust that the legal process will provide a fair and accurate account of the events in question.
“We reiterate our commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for all students at Osun State University.”
