A 20-year-old man, Samson Okegbua, has been remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre by an Akure Magistrate's Court following allegations that he raped an 18-year-old girl who hawks in Ijagba community, Ifon.

Okegbua was arraigned before the court on a charge bordering on rape, in violation of Section 3(a), (b) and (c) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2020.

Presenting the case, the prosecutor, ASP A. Jejeniwa, informed the court that the defendant unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim on June 11, 2026, at about 2:30pm within the court's territorial jurisdiction.

The prosecutor prayed the court to order the defendant's remand in custody pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

Giving her account before the court, the victim, whose name was withheld to protect her identity, disclosed that she engages in the sale of herbal medicine and ponmo around the community.

She recounted that on the day in question, Okegbua, alongside one Junior — who has since evaded arrest — approached her and requested to purchase ponmo valued at ₦200.

The teenager explained that after she handed over the item, the two men claimed they were not carrying cash, with Junior allegedly stepping out to source money from a POS operator before returning to claim the transaction could not go through due to network failure.

She said she was then persuaded by the pair to follow them home so she could be paid.

Once inside the house, she alleged, Okegbua and his accomplice overpowered her, clamped her mouth shut to stifle her cries for help, and sexually assaulted her.

The court subsequently adjourned the case and directed that the defendant remain in custody at the correctional centre pending advice from the DPP.