Man, 32, Remanded In Kirikiri Over Alleged Rape, Assault At UNILAG Guest House

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 32-year-old man, Success Obioma, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for alleged rape, assault and obtaining money under false pretense.

Obioma was brought before Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola following a three-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police. The prosecutor in the matter is ASP Lucky Ihehie.

The charge sheet, prepared by the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, and endorsed by CSP Omolola Odutola, stated that the incidents allegedly occurred on August 30, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m. at the UNILAG Guest House Conference, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.

Count one alleges that the defendant unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a 20-year-old woman without her consent, an offence punishable under Section 260 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.

Count two alleges that on the same date, time and place, the defendant assaulted the 20-year-old complainant and a 26-year-old man with a wooden stick, contrary to Section 170 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Count three alleges that the defendant obtained the sum of N5,000 from the female complainant under false pretence, punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Investigating Police Officer is Cpl. Sandra Oyedeji of the Gender Section, the unit statutorily saddled with investigation of sexual and domestic offences in the state.

At the proceedings, ASP Ihehie told the court that the charge bothers on an indictable offence which requires the legal advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP. He applied for the defendant to be remanded pending the advice.

Magistrate Tanimola, in her ruling, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the outcome of DPP advice.

The court declined to take the plea of the defendant, noting that the Magistrate Court lacks jurisdiction to try the alleged rape offence, which is triable only at the State High Court.

She directed that the case file be duplicated and transmitted to the DPP for legal advice, and adjourned the matter pending the DPP’s report.

Under Lagos criminal jurisprudence, Section 260 provides for life imprisonment for the offence of rape upon conviction. The prosecution is required to establish beyond reasonable doubt that there was penetration without consent.

Similarly, Section 170 punishes unlawful assault, while Section 314 criminalizes obtaining property by false pretence with intent to defraud.

Legal practitioners explain that remand pending DPP advice is a constitutional safeguard to ensure that a prima facie case is established by the state before an accused is committed to stand trial at the High Court.

The Lagos State Government has maintained a zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence, with the establishment of specialized courts and the Sex Offenders Register to name and shame convicted offenders.

The police Gender Section continues to encourage survivors to speak out and seek justice, assuring confidentiality and protection of their identities during investigation and prosecution.

No bail application was entertained at this stage due to the nature of the charges.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The name of the alleged victim has been deliberately withheld in this report to protect her privacy and dignity in accordance with ethical journalism standards on sexual offences.