51-Year-Old Man Arraigned For Alleged Defilement Of 8-Year-Old Girl, Remanded In Kirikiri

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

A 51-year-old man, Kamorudeen Balogun, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba for allegedly defiling an 8-year-old girl in the Alakuko area of Lagos State.

The defendant was arraigned before the court presided over by Mrs. M.O. Tanimola, following a charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.

The prosecutor, ASP Lucky Ihehie, told the court that the incident occurred on the 25th day of May, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m. at No. 31, Segun Adetiba, Ajegunle Street, Lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial District.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.

When the charge was read to the defendant, his plea was not taken by the court.

ASP Ihehie informed the court that the matter bordered on defilement of a minor, which is a serious felony, and therefore applied for the defendant to be remanded pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

He urged the court not to admit the defendant to bail at this stage, noting the gravity of the allegation and the need to protect the victim and ensure thorough prosecution.

In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center, Kirikiri Town, pending the outcome of the DPP’s legal advice.

She directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for advice.

The court adjourned the matter for mention to await the DPP report.

The case was reported at the Alakuko Division of the Lagos State Police Command, under the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abdulkadir Song.

Police records indicate that the Investigating Police Officer is W/Inspector Ojukhor Edoamen of the Alakuko Division.

Child defilement cases have continued to attract public concern in Lagos State, with authorities reiterating zero tolerance for sexual offences against minors.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Justice and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, has intensified campaigns to protect children and encourage prompt reporting of abuse.

Police authorities have urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to monitor their children closely, especially within residential environments.

Legal experts note that under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, defilement of a child is a grave offence that attracts severe punishment upon conviction.

However, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

The prosecution is expected to present medical reports, statements of witnesses, and other evidence to establish its case once the DPP advice is received.

The matter will continue on the next adjourned date for mention pending the DPP report.