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.

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

Clean Water, Greener Communities: Archbishop Martins Challenges Governments, Others

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on governments, industries, farmers, local authorities and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect the environment.

He specifically urged them to ensure access to clean water and promote responsible waste disposal.

Archbishop Martins made the call as Christians across the world commenced the 2026 Season of Creation, a period dedicated to prayer, reflection and action for the protection of the earth.

In his homily and special message marking the season, which runs from September 1 to October 4, the Archbishop urged governments to formulate and implement policies that would guarantee universal access to safe and nourishing food, while ensuring that the benefits of biodiversity are shared equitably.

He also called on churches, mosques and other stakeholders to support greening initiatives and encourage communities to grow their own food, while denouncing pollution in all its forms.

Martins further urged governments, industries, farmers and local authorities to protect water sources and demonstrate greater responsibility in the disposal of waste.

He said the 2026 Season of Creation, themed “Immersion in Living Water,” provides an opportunity for people to recognise creation as a gift from God and accept the responsibility of protecting it.

According to him, Christians across denominations are expected to use the period to deepen their commitment to ecological responsibility through prayer, reflection and concrete action.

“We must advocate for universal access to clean water and proper sanitation in our communities, homes, schools, health care facilities, churches, and mosques,” he said.

The Archbishop also stressed the importance of environmental education, urging parents, catechists, clerics and faith communities to promote education that combines scientific knowledge with ethics and spiritual formation.

He warned against the continued exploitation of nature for short-term gains, saying humanity must move from “mindless exploitation to care of the earth” and rethink its values, economic systems and priorities.

Martins said human wellbeing was inseparable from the health of the environment, noting that the flourishing of humanity was intertwined with the healing of creation.

“Becoming part of the river, let us all overcome our fears and step into the waters of God’s love. Let us become part of the river of transformation, bringing healing and renewal to creation, bringing hope and blessing to the earth, our common home,” he said.

He urged Nigerians and other people of goodwill to become responsible stewards of the environment by respecting their surroundings and accepting personal responsibility for sustaining the earth.

The Season of Creation coincides with the 2026 Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. The Jubilee runs from January 1, 2026 to January 2027, while the Season of Creation ends on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis.

The Archbishop also referenced the environmental teachings of the late Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, particularly its emphasis on the inseparable relationship between the “cry of the earth” and the “cry of the poor.”

Pope Leo XIV, in his own message, similarly urged Catholics and people of goodwill to draw inspiration from St. Francis’ commitment to peace, humility, poverty and care for creation.

The 2026 Season of Creation, now in its fifth edition, is therefore expected to galvanise Christians and other stakeholders worldwide towards greater environmental responsibility and action.

Two Teenagers Drown in Kaduna as Heavy Flooding Submerges Communities

NEMA and KADSEMA intensify assessment and search operations after torrential rainfall triggers flash floods across Kaduna metropolis

Two teenagers have tragically lost their lives after drowning in a river at Askplaye community in Kaduna State following days of torrential rainfall that triggered widespread flooding across parts of the metropolis. The victims have been identified as Abubakar Mohammed, 17, and Suleiman Yakubu, 19, whose bodies remain unrecovered as of Monday.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident, stating that its North-West Operations Office, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) and other stakeholders, has continued to assess the flood situation following heavy downpour that lasted approximately four consecutive days, from Thursday to Monday, across parts of Kaduna metropolis. NEMA reported that the torrential rainfall caused flash floods in some communities, submerging roads and temporarily trapping some residents inside their homes. The flooding also disrupted movement across affected areas, forcing residents to navigate through flooded routes with extreme caution.

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The Head of Operations for NEMA’s North-West Office, Hajia Halima Suleiman, led an assessment team to communities impacted by the flooding to ascertain the extent and impact of the floodwaters. During the assessment, Suleiman visited the bereaved family of Yakubu to express the agency’s condolences and offer support following the teenager’s death. NEMA assured that it would continue monitoring the situation in partnership with KADSEMA and other emergency responders to assess the needs of affected communities and facilitate an appropriate response.

The tragic incident comes amid heightened flood risk across Kaduna State, with emergency agencies repeatedly warning residents against crossing flooded rivers, streams or drainage channels during the rainy season. In recent weeks, emergency response agencies have launched evacuation and rescue operations following flash floods that affected Asikolaye and the Federal Polytechnic, Tudun Wada, in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Officials have attributed the severity of flooding in parts of the metropolis to indiscriminate disposal of waste, which has clogged drainage channels and restricted the free flow of stormwater. The Kaduna State Fire Service has called for stronger public enlightenment on proper waste disposal, regular desilting of drainage channels, and stricter enforcement against indiscriminate dumping of refuse to reduce the risk of flash floods.

In a related development, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency raised alarm in August over reported structural distress and visible cracks at the Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, warning that any major failure could pose serious flood risks to downstream communities in Kaduna, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory. The agency called for urgent technical assessment and preventive measures to avert a potential disaster. KADSEMA has intensified community-based flood preparedness initiatives in partnership with development organisations, conducting simulation exercises in flood-prone communities to help residents recognise early warning signs and organise evacuations.

Two Teenagers Drown in Kaduna as Heavy Flooding Submerges Communities