Musbau Esinrogunjo, who previously contested for a local government chairmanship seat under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 Kwara State local elections, appeared in the State High Court on Wednesday facing charges of allegedly raping a minor.
The Kwara State government initiated legal proceedings against Esinrogunjo, accusing him of engaging in unlawful sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl named Aishat Kamardeen.
During the court session, the defense lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Bamgboye, initially resisted the arraignment of Esinrogunjo, prompting judicial intervention.
As a result, the accused was not required to enter a plea at that time.
State Director of Public Prosecution, Ayoola Akande, who led the prosecution, requested that the court formally arraign the defendant. However, the defense challenged the validity of the arraignment process.
Akande emphasized to the court, “This case calls for arraignment. We respectfully request that the charges be formally presented to the defendant.”
The court proceeded to read the single-count charge, which accuses Esinrogunjo of rape and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.
Despite the charge being read, the defendant’s plea was withheld.
The prosecution highlighted that Esinrogunjo remained in custody without bail.
Contrarily, the defense counsel informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) had granted bail to Esinrogunjo as far back as July 2025.
“He has complied with all bail conditions and is not evading the law. His bail remains valid,” the defense stated.
In response, Akande argued, “Bail considerations, whether written or verbal, cannot be addressed until after the defendant has been properly arraigned.”
Presiding Judge Funso Dada Lawal permitted the arraignment to proceed but postponed the plea-taking to a later date.
The judge adjourned the matter to November 13, 2025, for the defendant’s plea and to hear any related applications, in accordance with Section 228 of the Kwara State Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
It is noteworthy that Esinrogunjo is concurrently facing another trial before Justice E.B. Mohammed for allegedly assaulting a traffic officer while on duty.
