Lagos Cleric, 74, Remanded Over Alleged Defilement of 9-Year-Old Granddaughter

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Lagos Cleric, 74, Remanded Over Alleged Defilement of 9-Year-Old Granddaughter

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court orders the remand of a septuagenarian cleric after he was accused of sexually assaulting his young granddaughter, an act that allegedly resulted in severe bleeding.

A 74-year-old cleric, Joseph Adeniran, has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre by an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for the alleged defilement of his nine-year-old granddaughter. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs C.M. Kushanu, ordered that the defendant be held at the correctional centre until September 24, 2026, pending the receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The court did not take the defendant’s plea at the Tuesday proceedings.

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The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the alleged offence took place on June 18, 2026, at the defendant’s residence located at 12, Araromi Street, off Baba Egbe Road, Meiran, Lagos. According to the prosecutor, the cleric is accused of sexually assaulting the minor by inserting his finger into her, which caused profuse bleeding. The incident came to light when a neighbour noticed bloodstains on the child’s clothing and raised a concern. When questioned, the young girl reportedly told the neighbour that her grandfather had fingered her, which led to the bleeding. Following this disclosure, the case was reported to the police, and the suspect was subsequently arrested.

The prosecution stated that the offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. This section of the law prescribes life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor.