Court sends ADC Assembly candidate to prison over alleged rape in Ekiti

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has remanded the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Ado Constituency I in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Ayodele Babatola, over an alleged rape case.

Babatola was recently arrested and detained by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command following a complaint lodged by a 30-year-old woman, Bukola Oluwaseun.

According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, the complainant alleged that the politician forcefully had sexual intercourse with her at KIIBAT Hotel located along Petim Estate in the Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti on May 24, 2026.

Abutu said the woman reported that she sustained injuries during the incident, which were observed by police officers when the matter was reported.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the suspect was invited, his statement was taken and after a preliminary investigation, the case was transferred to the State CID for thorough investigation,” Abutu stated.

The police spokesperson said Babatola, during interrogation, claimed he became angry after the woman allegedly demanded payment before sex.

According to Abutu, the suspect denied penetrating the complainant but admitted leaving her in the hotel room and cutting off communication with her.

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The police spokesman, however, disclosed that a medical examination conducted on the complainant confirmed penetration.

Following the conclusion of investigations, Babatola was arraigned before the court and subsequently remanded at the Correctional Service Centre in Ado Ekiti.

Meanwhile, some members of the ADC on Wednesday staged a protest in Ekiti State, describing the arrest and detention of the assembly candidate as politically motivated.

Speaking during a press conference organised by party stakeholders, ADC chieftain Gboyega Aribisogan alleged that Babatola was being targeted because of his criticism of the Ekiti State Government.

Aribisogan further accused officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in the state of allegedly using remand warrants, popularly known as “Form K”, to intimidate and detain opposition figures and government critics.

“Ayodele Babatola is a social activist who has been consistently harassed by the Nigeria Police Force in Ekiti over his criticism of government non-performance,” he said.