Two Caregivers Arraigned Over Alleged Breach Of Peace At Pentaville School, Shasha Lagos

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Two women, Nkeina Obi ‘F’, aged 43 years, and Charity Oduchukwu ‘F’, aged 68 years, have been arraigned before Magistrate M.O. Tanimola sitting at the Lagos Magisterial District for allegedly conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace at Pentaville School, Shasha, Lagos.

The defendants were arraigned by operatives of the Gender Section, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, led by IPO Cpl. Mary Abang (08061493113), on a one-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police with Charge No: …/2026.

The prosecution of the case is being handled by ASP Lucky Ihehie.

According to the charge sheet, which was signed by ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem and stamped OPP APPROVED by the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba, and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the alleged incident happened on 25th August, 2026, at Pentaville School, Shasha, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.

The charge reads that Nkeina Obi ‘F’ and Charity Oduchukwu ‘F’, on 25th August, 2026, at Pentaville School, Shasha, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, allegedly conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by neglecting their duty as caregivers to one Victor Sunmola, aged 1 year and 9 months old, who was kept in their custody, by allowing his hair to be shaved.

The alleged offence is said to be punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

Police investigation revealed that the parent of the child, Victor Sunmola, had reported the matter at the Gender Section, Lagos State Police Command, after discovering on 25th August, 2026, that his child’s hair was allegedly shaved while in the custody of the caregivers at the school without his consent.

The parent was said to have alleged that the action was done without his authorization and was capable of causing a breach of peace, which led to the arrest and subsequent arraignment of the two caregivers.

When the charge was read and interpreted to the defendants before Magistrate M.O. Tanimola, their plea was taken.

Prosecutor ASP Lucky Ihehie told the court that the Police have assembled its witnesses and that the IPO, Cpl. Mary Abang, is ready to testify. He applied for a date for hearing to enable the prosecution to prove the allegations against the defendants.

In his ruling, Magistrate M.O. Tanimola granted the defendants bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Magistrate Tanimola further ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Center at Kirikiri town pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.

The court adjourned the matter for mention and hearing to enable the prosecution to present its witnesses and for trial to commence.

A court source said the case file has been forwarded to the District Prosecutor’s Office for further legal advice and that the trial will commence as soon as the defendants perfect their bail conditions and the prosecution assembles its evidence.

Legal practitioners who commented on the matter said that Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State prohibits any conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, including neglect of duty as a caregiver which may provoke public disorder.

They added that under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and that the defendants remain innocent of the allegations until the prosecution proves otherwise beyond reasonable doubt.