Ekiti ADC kicks as court remands house of assembly candidate over alleged r@pe

An Ado Ekiti magistrate court has remanded Ayodele Babatola, the African Democratic Congress (African Democratic Congress) candidate for Ado Constituency 1 in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, over allegations of r@pe.

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Babatola was recently arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Ekiti State. In a statement, the police command’s spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said a 30-year-old woman, identified as Bukola Oluwaseun, accused Babatola of forcefully having sexual intercourse with her at a hotel in Ado Ekiti on May 24, 2026.

According to the statement: “The victim stated that the suspect forcefully had carnal knowledge of her at KIIBAT HOTEL, along Petim Estate, Adebayo Area, Ado-Ekiti.”

Abutu said the complainant alleged that she sustained injuries during the incident, which officers reportedly observed when the case was reported. Police said Babatola was invited for questioning and that the matter was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

According to the police, the defendant claimed he became angry after the woman allegedly demanded payment before intercourse. “He claimed that he did not actually penetrate the victim before he got provoked by her request for financial compensation.”

However, the police said a medical examination conducted on the complainant allegedly confirmed penetration. Following the investigation, Babatola was charged to court and remanded at the correctional facility in Ado Ekiti pending further proceedings.

Meanwhile, some ADC members staged a protest on Wednesday, May 27, describing the arrest and detention of the politician as politically motivated. Speaking during a press conference, ADC chieftain Gboyega Aribisogan alleged that Babatola was being targeted because of his criticism of the Ekiti State government.

“Ayodele Babatola is a social activist who has been consistently and constantly harassed by Nigeria Police Force in Ekiti over his criticism of government non-performance,” Aribisogan said. He also accused the Rapid Response Squad in the state of using remand procedures to detain opposition figures and government critics.