A 21-year-old man, Isaac Jacob, was on Monday arraigned before the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos over allegations of sexual misconduct with a ram inside a restaurant in Alausa, Ikeja.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu on a one-count charge of committing an unnatural offence. The prosecution, led by SP Philip Ademigbuji, alleged that Isaac Jacob committed the offence contrary to Section 267 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
According to the charge sheet, the Police stated:
“That you, Isaac Jacob ‘M’, on the 16th of June, 2026, at 12 Meals Restaurant and Bar, Alausa, Ikeja in the Ogba Magisterial District, did have sexual intercourse with a male ram, property of 12 Meals Restaurant and Bar and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 267 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.”
The prosecution further told the court that the ram was kept at the restaurant for food preparation before the alleged incident occurred at the premises.
SP Ademigbuji informed Magistrate Kusanu that investigation into the matter had been concluded at Alausa Division. The charge was endorsed by SP Abigael Ojo and signed by CSP Shokunbi Toyosi on June 22, 2026.
The court did not take the plea of the defendant. The prosecutor said the case file would be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for legal advice and further directives.
After listening to the submissions, Magistrate Kusanu ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending the DPP’s advice. The matter was adjourned for mention for the DPP’s report to be available. The magistrate also directed the prosecution to serve all relevant documents on the defence counsel before the next court date.
Section 267 of the Lagos Criminal Law covers unnatural offences and prescribes punishment for anyone found guilty of the act stated in the charge. Legal practitioners say the provision is intended to protect public morality and uphold ethical standards.
Sources at 12 Meals Restaurant and Bar said the incident was reported to the Police immediately after it was discovered by staff members on duty. The management is yet to issue an official statement on the matter as at press time.
Animal welfare groups in Lagos have condemned the alleged act and called for diligent prosecution in line with the law. They noted that such cases, if proven, undermine both legal standards and animal welfare.
The Police said investigations are ongoing to ascertain all details surrounding the incident. SP Ademigbuji assured the court that the prosecution would be ready to proceed once directives are received from the DPP.
The case was adjourned for mention for the availability of the DPP’s report at the Ogba Magistrate Court.