Sixteen-year-old girl, Olayemi Agbeloba, has committed suicide after her boss’ husband, identified as Ajibode, allegedly raped her at their residence in Eruwa, in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The PUNCH Newspaper reports that after perpetrating the crime, Ajibode, who is a welder, was said to have threatened to kill the minor if she disclosed what happened to anyone.
Until her death, Agbeloba was an apprentice of Ajibode’s wife.
It was gathered that the minor was learning fashion design from Ajibode’s wife and was also living with her boss, who she assists with domestic chores.
Things, however, took a dramatic turn when Ajibode entered the deceased’s room and allegedly raped the her on June 23, 2023.
Angered by the development, the minor, who was said to have been traumatised by Ajibode’s action, reportedly drank a substance suspected to be insecticide and died from the toxic substance.
Agbeloba’s father, Sunday, who had been inconsolable since he got to about why his daughter took her own life, told The PUNCH that in a bid to get justice for his late daughter, he reported the case at the Eruwa Police Station.
He, however, lamented that the police, while investigating the case, arrested Ajibode, adding that the suspect had been boasting that justice would not prevail in the matter.
“Olayemi went to Ajibode’s wife’s house early this year because my wife and I decided that she should learn handwork. She had been staying with Ajibode and his wife for about six months and suddenly, we were told that she died.
“Later, we heard Ajibode had raped my daughter after which she drank an insecticide. This was confirmed by medical workers at the hospital she was taken to for treatment after she drank the insecticide. At the hospital, we were also told that before my daughter died, she said Ajibode raped her and that was what made her drink the insecticide.
“I reported the case at the Eruwa Police Station and he was arrested and released. Since then, Ajibode has been claiming that he knows people and that there is nothing we could do to him. He raped my daughter and pushed her to commit suicide and he’s still very confident that he would go scot-free,” he said.
Speaking amid tears, Agbeloba’s mother, Folake, while demanding justice for her daughter, said her daughter once confessed to her that Ajibode usually disturbs her while sleeping at night.
“I can’t speak now because they have taken my daughter away from me. Is it a crime for someone to go and learn a trade? Ajibode raped my daughter and he and his wife are trying to hide the crime that he committed. My daughter is gone because of what Ajibode did to her.
“She once told me that her boss’ husband usually disturbs her at night when she retires to sleep in their house. I wanted to make her come back home but also wanted her to finish her apprenticeship. Look at what they did to my child?” she lamented.
When contacted, the Oyo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Asewale Onifeso, said: “A case of homicide was reported at the Eruwa Divisional Police Headquarters. It is also more like a case of defilement. However, investigations have been escalated. Further updates would be provided accordingly.”
