An Ondo State High Court has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing a middle-aged man to death for the horrific rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in what has been described as a "very pathetic" case that shocked the community.
Five-Year Legal Battle Ends in Justice
Presiding Judge Justice Yemi Fasanmi found Dare Ojo guilty of both rape and murder after a trial that spanned five years. The final judgment was delivered on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with the court determining that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The tragic incident occurred on July 17, 2020, around 5:30 p.m. along the Irun/Ese-Akoko Road in the Akoko North-East area of Ondo State. Ojo, who worked as a commercial motorcyclist, had picked up young Zainab Adeyemo from Ise Market with the agreement to transport her to Irun.
However, the journey took a devastating turn when Ojo failed to deliver the child to her destination. Instead, he took the young girl into the bush where he brutally raped her and then strangled her to death. Her lifeless body was later discovered naked in the bush, sending shockwaves through the community.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Arguments
The convict was formally arraigned on July 17, 2020, facing two-count charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and murder. His plea was finally taken on June 14, 2023, following amendments to the charges, during which he pleaded for leniency from the court.
During the trial, the prosecution presented six witnesses who testified against Ojo, while the defendant chose to testify alone without calling any additional witnesses to support his case.
Defense counsel Messrs. Kolawole Oluiwa appealed to the court for mercy, arguing that his client had shown remorse for the pain caused to the victim's family. The defense also presented reports from the correctional center indicating that Ojo had been one of the well-behaved inmates during his detention.
Oluiwa further pleaded for a more lenient sentence, citing the defendant's youth and potential to contribute to Nigeria's economic growth if given a second chance.
Court's Final Judgment and Legal Basis
In his ruling, Justice Fasanmi applied the legal doctrine of 'last seen' against the defendant, noting that Ojo was the last person seen with the deceased before her tragic death. The judge emphasized that the defendant failed to provide a convincing explanation about what happened to Zainab, particularly given that her body was found naked.
The court considered compelling medical evidence from autopsy and post-mortem reports that revealed evidence of massive violence around the young victim's vagina and neck, including clear signs of forceful penetration.
Justice Fasanmi described the case as particularly heartbreaking and commended the defense counsel for his professionalism and punctuality throughout the trial process, noting that he had not deliberately delayed the prosecution.
However, the judge made it clear that "the defendant had robbed the deceased of her pride through his action, and I, therefore, find it a sacred duty to send a warning to pedophiles by ensuring justice was served for the victim."
The court ultimately sentenced Ojo to life imprisonment for rape under Section 31 (1), (2) and (3) of the Ondo State Child's Rights Law, 2007, and to death by hanging for murder under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Reactions to the Verdict
Barr. (Mrs.) Bola Afolabi, the Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence (OSAA-GBV), whose office handled the prosecution, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision.
Speaking with journalists after the verdict, Afolabi explained that the case was initially filed in 2020 but was reopened in 2023 following necessary amendments to the charges.
"At the end of the prosecution, he was found guilty on counts one and two. We have seen the end of the case today. It is a great relief," she stated.
"Unfortunately, the victim is no longer alive due to the defendant's act, but today she got justice. For the defendant, he received judgement for the offences he committed. That is the beauty of the court — when there is justice for victims, everyone is happy. Today, we are happy and grateful to the court."
The Executive Secretary also commended Barr. John Dada, the Director of Legal Services at OSAA-GBV, who prosecuted the case from its inception through to the final judgment.
This landmark verdict sends a strong message about Nigeria's judicial system's commitment to tackling gender-based violence and protecting the most vulnerable members of society, particularly children who fall victim to such brutal crimes.
