Herbalist, social media influencer in detention over alleged rape

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

Sultan Ojuwoni Atakoro, a social media influencer and herbalist from Ibadan, and Olaitan Ibrahim Olalekan, a man from Oke-Kura, Ilorin, were placed under detention at the Correctional Service Center until January 17, 2024, by a magistrate court in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday.

The Kwara State Police Command accused them of rape and arson before Magistrate Kolawole Aluko.

According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), Atakoro conspired with Olalekan, one Omowunmi, and her children, who are currently at large, to sexually assault and burn 21-year-old Firdaos Jimoh in his shrine in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspects were charged with rape, causing great bodily injury, unlawful trial by ordeal, and criminal conspiracy.

After reading the accused’ FIR, Magistrate Kolawole Aluko denied their plea, stating that the court lacked authority to consider the charges against them.

Nevertheless, after hearing the prosecution’s and the second defendant’s arguments, he remanded the suspects and postponed the case until January 17, 2024, for further consideration.

The magistrate ruled that the charges against the suspects were not typically subject to bail.

According to the FIR, the issue was brought to the attention of the Kwara State police command’s Area Commander in Ilorin metropolis on November 30, 2023, at approximately 14.30 hours, by means of a petition submitted by a certain Hassan A. Gobir on behalf of Hajia Kadijat Ayinke ,Jimoh of the state capital of Ilorin, located at No. 38 Ifesowapo, Ita-Elepa, Asa Dam.

According to the FIR, the complainant promised Omowunmi Ahmed and the suspect that she would take good care of her daughter Firdaus Jimoh, who was studying fashion and design, sometime in July 2023.

In a surprising development, though, Omowunmi—who is currently at large—told the complainant that an unknown individual had stolen N800,000 worth of gold jewelry.

Omowunmi is accused of plotting with his three daughters to trick Firdaus Jimoh, the victim, and bringing her to the Sultan Ojuwoni Atakoro shrine in Ibadan on the false pretext that they would employ spiritual methods to track down the money thief.

Sultan Atakoro was also accused in the First Information Report (FIR) of forcing Firdaus Jimoh to kneel in front of him while holding a calabash, dousing her in flammable liquid, and reciting incantations, all of which caused her body to burn.

“You also inserted an object into her private part and raped her twice in that painful condition. Your action caused grievous bodily hurt to her by diabolical and dangerous means