Kwara Ex-PDP Chairmanship candidate arraigned for alleged rape of minor

Former chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 local government elections in Kwara State, Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Kwara State High Court over allegations of raping a 15-year-old girl.

The Kwara State Government brought Esinrogunjo before the court for allegedly engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor, identified as Aishat Kamardeen.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the defence counsel, Joseph Bamgboye (SAN), initially opposed the arraignment of his client, prompting the intervention of the court. As a result, Esinrogunjo’s plea was not taken.

Leading the prosecution, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Ayoola Akande, urged the court to allow the formal arraignment of the accused. However, Bamgboye challenged the competency of the arraignment process.

Mr. Akande told the court, “The matter is slated for arraignment. We respectfully apply that the charge be read to the defendant.”

Following his application, the one-count charge of rape and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor was read to Esinrogunjo, though his plea was deferred.

The DPP further argued that the accused “is already before the court and has not been granted bail.”

In response, the defence counsel informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) had granted his client bail since July 2025. “He has not breached the bail conditions and is not at large. The bail still subsists,” Bamgboye stated.

However, Akande countered that “the issue of bail, whether written or oral, cannot be considered until after proper arraignment.”

Presiding Judge, Justice Funso Dada Lawal, ruled that the arraignment be allowed but deferred the plea taking to the next adjourned date.

The case was subsequently adjourned to November 13, 2025, for hearing of the defendant’s application and plea taking, in line with Section 228 of the Kwara State Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).