Supreme Court affirms 5-yr imprisonment or N300, 000 fine for rape of minor

The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the five-year jail term with hard labour passed on Afor Lucky for raping a minor.

The option of N300, 000 fine was also upheld by the apex court.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta held that it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict had forceful carnal knowledge of the minor.

``The convict has successfully killed something in the psyche of the victim, leaving the poor girl devastated and with a permanent scar for life.

``The principle of inviolability of a sentence not appealed against, which I am duty bound to apply herein most regrettable and painfully appears to give credence to the saying that the law is an ass.

``Maybe the asinine attribute is not inherent in the law but in the application of its provision as amply demonstrated in this case.

``The provision has provided for 14 years maximum jail term for rape but the trial judge decided to give Lucky five.

``In conclusion, having resolved the five issues, except one, against the convict, I therefore dismiss the appeal for want of merit.

``The judgment of the Court below which affirmed the judgment of the trial Court is hereby affirmed,’’ Ngwuta held.

The convict was charged with rape, punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol.1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

The particulars of offence held that Lucky, on or about April 7, 2007 at Ole in Delta State, had carnal knowledge of the five-year-old girl.

Court declare appointment of New OAU VC invalid

A Federal High court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State has declared the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University Professor Salami, as invalid.

It was learnt that the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities NASU said that the Federal High court has granted the prayers of the NASU, as such declaring the appointment of Salami invalid.

It will be recalled that the Senate of the OAU, on Monday, June 6th, 2016 announced the appointment of the professor of Ecology and Environmental Studies Ayo Salami, as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution, after a brief meeting of members of the governing council.

Controversies have trailed the appointment of the new VC, since an alleged anointment by the outgoing Vice Chancellor Professor Bamitale Omole in April.

Earlier on Tuesday, report of disruption and total shut down of activities on the OAU campus was learnt, where NASU members were alleged to have been hunting staff, especially the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU.

NASU has however vowed to continue in their protest and assured that any of it members won't go on strike, but stay to fight the illegal appointment.

The NASU Chairman Comrade Odewunmi stated :
”No man can come from Abuja and
become our vice chancellor » , if things keep going this way by ending of June we may go on strike because we will resist this ."

He added that only two of the 6 shortlisted candidates were taken to Abuja for approval.

"OAU registrar wrote a letter to all aspirants telling them to come to Abuja for the screening but just two went while four others boycotted it, they even promised to pay the aspirants money if they come, we will keep protesting this illegality, we have not started anything, we are determined " he said.