Segun Iwaetan, a 24-year-old secret cult member, was sentenced to death by hanging by the Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division.
The offender was condemned to life for raping a 20-year-old neighbor and Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti student with two weapons.
The defendant was tried on a seven-count rape, guns, and hidden cult membership allegation.
The charge sheet states, “Segun Iwaetan and Atila Iwaetan (now at large) on January 16, 2021 at Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, did conspire to commit burglary and stealing, break into the shop of Olayemi Oyerinde, received stolen properties such as 50 jean trousers, 15 polo shirts, 30 pairs of leather slippers among others, worth over N1.8million.
On February 5, 2021, the defendant raped a 20-year-old Federal Polytechnic student at Odo Ado Street, Ado Ekiti while unlawfully in possession of two guns. On February 10, 2021, he was found to be a member of the Eiye confraternity secret cult.
"The defendant was my neighbour," the rape victim testified. He entered my room about 3am and held a gun at me, threatening to shoot me if I shouted. He forced me to strip and sex. As a virgin, he raped me. He asked me to forgive him and not tell anyone.”
Albert Adeyemi, the prosecutor, presented five witnesses, the defendant's statement, medical report, search warrant, and two locally made weapons.
No witnesses were called by the defendant, who represented himself.
Justice Adeniyi Familoni convicted the defendant on four offenses.
Familoni stated, “The defendant is punished as follows: Conspiracy and unauthorized possession of firearms, he is condemned to 12 years imprisonment each without any choice of fine, sentences are to run consecutively from the day of his arrest and detention.
“On rape, the court condemned the defendant to life imprisonment,” while for Eiye confraternity hidden cult membership, the judge said, “The punishment of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck till you be dead and may the Lord have pity on your soul.”