CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 44-year-old man, Chigozie Nnodiri, has been remanded at the Correctional Center, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, for allegedly drugging a woman and circulating an offensive publication of her in the Ago Palace area of Lagos State.
Nnodiri was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu at the Lagos Magisterial District on a two-count charge marked MALP/55/2026, filed by the Commissioner of Police.
The defendant was charged with offences bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace and circulating offensive publication, contrary to the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The charge sheet was signed by CSP Omolola Odutola, while the prosecution was led in court by SP Philip Adegbemuji.
According to the charge, Count One alleges that the defendant, on the 30th day of August, 2026, at No. Latunde Close, Ago Palace, Lagos State, within the Lagos Magisterial District, did conduct himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by drugging one Chukwu Oluchi Divine and making a video of her, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Count Two alleges that the defendant, on the 22nd day of September, 2026, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did conduct himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by circulating an offensive publication of one Chukwu Oluchi Divine, female, aged 30 years, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 57(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts when the charges were read to him before the court.
Following his plea, the prosecutor, SP Philip Adegbemuji, asked the court for a date for trial and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu granted the defendant bail with two responsible sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The court ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center, Kirikiri Town, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for mention and for the legal advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.
The case was investigated by the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command, with the Investigating Police Officer assigned to the matter.
Police sources said the complainant had reported that she was allegedly drugged and her video recorded without her consent, and that the video was later circulated, prompting investigation and arrest.
Legal practitioners note that the offences of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and circulating offensive publication are taken seriously under Lagos State law, as they border on violation of privacy, dignity, and public order.
Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State deals with acts capable of causing breach of peace in public or private places, while Section 57 addresses acts that may cause insult, annoyance, or injury to individuals through offensive publications.
The Lagos State Government through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has continued to encourage victims of harassment and non-consensual image sharing to report such cases to the Gender Desk or the nearest police division.
The court emphasized that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
As of the time of filing this report, the defendant remains in custody at Kirikiri pending perfection of bail.