UK-Based Nigerian Remanded in Ekiti Over Alleged Hotel Rape, Assault

​ADO-EKITI — The Ekiti State Police Command has rejected claims that the arrest and ongoing prosecution of a UK-returnee, Ayodele Babatola, for alleged rape and assault is politically motivated or illegal.

​The police statement on Thursday follows a wave of social media allegations accusing the command of conniving with the Ekiti State government to victimize the suspect.

​According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abutu Sunday, the arrest followed a formal complaint lodged at the Oke-Ila Divisional Police Headquarters on May 25, 2026, at approximately 01:00 hours by a 30-year-old woman, Bukola Oluwaseun.

​The Alleged Incident

​The victim reported that she met Babatola on social media three months ago while he was still residing abroad. Upon his recent return to Nigeria, the duo agreed to meet physically at the Captain Cook area in Ado-Ekiti.

​According to her account, Babatola drove her to the KIIBAT Hotel, located along Petim Estate in the Adebayo area of the state capital, under the guise of having a discussion.

​Once inside the hotel room, the suspect allegedly forced himself on her, inflicting various degrees of visible bodily injuries after she resisted his advances. The victim further alleged that immediately after the assault, Babatola fled the premises to an unknown destination and blocked her phone number alongside all other communication channels.

​Investigation and Conflicting Claims

​Following the report, police operatives invited the suspect for questioning. Preliminary findings led to the case being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) for a more comprehensive probe.

​During interrogation, Babatola admitted to blocking the victim’s contacts and leaving her in the hotel room, but denied actual penetration. He claimed he became provoked when the victim demanded financial compensation before they could engage in sexual intercourse.

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​”The suspect stated that he was provoked when the victim asked him for payment before having sexual intercourse with her. He claimed that he did not actually penetrate the victim… but accepted that he left her in the room and deactivated all her means of reaching him,” the police statement revealed.

​However, the police confirmed that a medical examination conducted on the victim at a state hospital established evidence of penetration.

​Remanded in Custody

​Following the conclusion of investigations, Babatola was arraigned in court and has been remanded at the Correctional Service Centre in Ado-Ekiti.

​SP Abutu Sunday urged the public to disregard the viral narratives alleging state interference, emphasizing that the command acted strictly on a legitimate criminal complaint.

​”The Command will continue to uphold fairness, justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights, while maintaining that the principle of the rule of law must prevail,” the PPRO stated.