CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 63-year-old man, Olajide Michael, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba over allegations of defilement and related offences involving a 10-year-old girl in Isolo area of Lagos.
According to the charge filed by the Commissioner of Police, Michael is facing three counts contrary to the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The prosecution alleged that the offences took place at various times between January and May 2026.
The first allegation is that Michael unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the minor at Shodende Street, Isolo, within the Lagos Magisterial District. The offence is punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
A second allegation is that on the same dates and place, the defendant allegedly committed an act of sexual penetration against the 10-year-old girl. The offence is punishable under Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The third allegation is that on the same dates and place, Michael threatened to kill the minor. The offence is punishable under Section 56 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the charge sheet obtained by P.M.EXPRESS, the alleged offences were said to have occurred at addresses on Shodende Street and Sogunle Street, Isolo, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
The charge sheet was handled by Inspector Adunola Omolayo of Ilupeju Police Station, Lagos. Details of the officer’s contact were not fully legible on the document.
PM EXPRESS reports that the minor is aged 10 years. The court has yet to state if the child has been placed under protective care in line with child protection protocols.
The Lagos State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual offences against minors. Cases involving children are usually prosecuted under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and the Child’s Rights Law.
The court did not take the defendant’s plea after the prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, asked that the matter be referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Tanimola, ordered his remand in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, pending DPP’s advice and directed that the file be duplicated and sent to the DPP.
The matter was adjourned for mention to await the DPP’s advice, which will determine jurisdiction. Legal experts say every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.