CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a 55-year-old man, Adebowale Orowole, before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly confining a woman inside a room and depriving her of movement.
The defendant, Adebowale Orowole, ‘M’ aged 55 years, was brought before Magistrate Mrs. M. O. Tanimola on a one-count charge bordering on unlawful confinement.
The case, with Charge No MIK/AUK/P/39/2026, was filed by the Commissioner of Police against Adebowale Orowole.
The prosecutor, ASP Lucky Ihehie, told the court that the alleged offence was committed on the 22nd May, 2026, at about 10:00hrs at 17, Fadare Street, Off Kayode Street, Ogba, Lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial District.
On the charge sheet, it was stated, “That you, ADEBOWALE OROWOLE ‘M’ on the 22nd May, 2026 at about 10.00HRS at 17, Fadare Street, Off Kayode Street, Ogba, Lagos State in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did confine one Florence Orowole ‘F’ in a room thereby depriving her of movement against her will and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 272 of the criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
Police sources said the incident was reported at the Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba, by family members of the victim, one Florence Orowole, who alleged that she was locked inside a room against her will and prevented from coming out.
It was gathered that the complainant shouted for help, attracting neighbours who intervened before the matter was reported to the Police. Operatives from Area G Command swiftly arrested the defendant for questioning.
The Investigating Police Officer in charge of the case was W/Corporal Motunrayo Fayemi attached to Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba.
When the charge was read to the defendant in court, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutor, ASP Lucky Ihehie, asked the court for a date for trial and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Counsel to the defendant however, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms, assuring the court that he will not jump bail and will be available for trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The magistrate said the sureties must be residents of Lagos State with verifiable addresses and must produce their Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, LASRRA cards and tax clearance certificates.
She ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to a later date for mention and trial.
Section 272 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which the defendant is charged under, deals with unlawful confinement and deprivation of movement, which is punishable with imprisonment if found guilty.
Police have warned members of the public against taking laws into their hands by confining or detaining people against their will, stating that such acts constitute criminal offences under Lagos State Law.
Neighbours in Fadare Street, Ogba, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed shock over the incident, saying they heard shouting from the house on the day of the incident.
The court will determine the facts of the case during trial.
Legal experts say the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law. The facts stated are allegations by the prosecution.