“Court Remands Lesson Teacher Over Alleged Defilement Of 15-Year-Old Student” — Police Say Suspect Arraigned After Hospitalisation

An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded a lesson teacher, identified simply as Michael, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old student in the Ketu area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the development on Friday, following earlier reports that the survivor’s mother, Mrs. Zainab Musa, had accused some police officers of attempting to frustrate the prosecution of the case.

The mother had alleged that some officers pressured the family to accept ₦200,000 and withdraw the matter. However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, dismissed the allegation as untrue, describing it as “a mere allegation.”

Adebisi said the case was reported at the Ketu Police Station on July 13, after which the suspect was arrested and detained for investigation.

She explained that while preparations were being made to arraign the suspect on July 15, in the presence of the survivor and her mother, he collapsed and was rushed to the Lagos State Emergency Hospital, Toll Gate, where he was admitted. He was later transferred to Gbagada General Hospital.

Providing an update, the police spokesperson said the suspect had now been arraigned before the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court and remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

“The suspect has been arraigned before the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court and remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre,” Adebisi said.

She added that the matter was adjourned till August 24 for hearing.

The suspect is alleged to have sexually assaulted the teenager on multiple occasions inside a tutorial centre and threatened her to keep the incidents secret.

Following reports that the suspect had been hospitalised after collapsing, the founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, Ololade Ajayi, had called on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the suspect did not evade justice.

The organisation, which focuses on gender-based violence and femicide monitoring, urged the police to ensure diligent prosecution of the case.