06/02/2025
L-R Evaristus Ozumizi Akerele and Shuaib Iboko-Akoh
Two men have today, Thursday 6 February, been jailed for raping a woman in Liverpool city centre.
The charges relate to an incident in the early hours of 20 April 2024 in which a woman was raped inside a property.
The woman reported the matter and within a matter of hours officers were able to identify the offence location and arrest both men.
Whilst on bail, the mobile phones of the suspects were downloaded and intimate videos of the woman were found on the devices of both men, which appear to have been made without her knowledge.
Both men denied the allegations but following a trial in January, Shuaib Iboko-Akoh, 24, formerly of Harrington Street, Liverpool and Evaristus Ozumizi Akerele, 25, from Luton, were both found guilty of rape and voyeurism.
Today at Liverpool Crown Court they were both jailed for a total of seven years. They were also both ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for life.
Detective Inspector Carla Cross said: “These two men are now behind bars for a considerable period of time as a result of their despicable actions on that night.
“Both pleaded not guilty to the offences which meant the woman had to give evidence during the trial and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to her bravery, dignity and composure throughout.
“Merseyside Police is committed to investigating all sexual offence allegations, bringing offenders to justice and supporting all victims-survivors and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward and speak to us and allow us to help and support them.”
If you have been a victim of sexual offence you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services. This help is also available to family and friends who are supporting the survivor.
These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.
You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police. Please search for RASA or RASASC (if residing in the St Helens and Knowsley area).
Support is available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
If you do not require immediate police assistance then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here:
https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside
Our campaign to tackle the issue of violence against women and girls and help women and girls to feel safe and be safe across Merseyside. The link can be found here: #TakingAction to end Violence Against Women and Girls | Merseyside Police