CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 38-year-old man, Friday Shola Azubuike, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court over allegations of defilement involving a 13-year-old girl in Lagos State.
On the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, the defendant was named as Friday Shola Azubuike and his age was listed as 38 years in the court document.
According to the document, the alleged incident occurred on the 13th of May, 2026 at about 7:00pm in Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos. The location falls within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
The charge alleged that the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl at his place of work without her consent. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The prosecution told the court that the matter was reported to Ipaja Police Division, after which investigations commenced. The case file was later forwarded for review and prosecution.
The case was handled by Ipaja Police Division. The document listed Inspector Shittu Ayantoun as the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, for the matter.
The charge sheet was also signed off by SP Endurance Ovwigho, the Divisional Police Officer, Ipaja, Lagos on 20/5/2026. The file was subsequently forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
However, the court did not take the plea of the defendant when the matter came up. The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, asked the court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice and direction on proper jurisdiction.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Tanimola, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice. She also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and transmit it to the DPP for further action.
The matter was adjourned for mention to await the report of the DPP’s advice. The court noted that the advice would determine whether the case would be tried at the magistrate court or transferred to a higher court.
The case is being processed through the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The next date will be communicated to parties once the DPP’s advice is ready.
Under Nigerian law, a charge represents an allegation. Every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. In cases involving minors, the law also mandates strict confidentiality to protect the identity and welfare of the child.
