A 60-year old Ondo man, Tola Lebi, has pleaded guilty to the r3pe of a 12-year old girl, who is a friend of his daughter, rather than face trial.
In court, Lebi admitted to repeatedly assaulting the victim, stating that he was unsure of what overcame him during the incident.
He was initially brought before an Akure Magistrates’ Court by the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as the ‘Amotekun Corps,’ for the alleged r3pe.
According to prosecuting counsel O.F. Akeredolu, the offences occurred between July 7 and July 10, 2025, at his residence on Ikoya Road, along Holy Trinity Street in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Akeredolu informed the court that Lebi intentionally penetrated the victim without her consent over three days.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 6 and is punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Lebi, who did not have legal representation, entered a guilty plea. Akeredolu requested that the court convict him accordingly.
In a plea for leniency, Lebi explained that the victim had come to play with his daughter and expressed remorse, claiming he didn’t understand what had driven him to commit the act.
“I lost my only wife in 2016 and have not remarried since. The girl was my daughter’s friend, and I was under some kind of spell. Please have mercy on me; it was the devil’s handiwork,” he stated.
Chief Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the case until August 1 for sentencing and ordered that Lebi be remanded in Amotekun custody