A 46-year-old man, Ibrahim Ariyo, was arraigned before the Ojo Magistrate Court in Lagos over allegations of conspiracy, defilement of a 3-year-old boy, and theft. The charges were filed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were said to have occurred between June 2025 and February 2026 at Banire Extension, Mosafejo, Ojo, within the Ojo Magisterial District. The Police told the court that other suspects remain at large.
In Count One, the defendant was accused of conspiracy to commit felony. The prosecution alleged that Mr. Ariyo and others conspired to commit assault and stealing, contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
Count Two bordered on the alleged defilement of a 3-year-old boy. The prosecution stated that the defendant and others at large allegedly assaulted one boy, aged 3 years, at the same time and place. The offence was cited under Section 170(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The charges were read to the defendant in the open court as contained in the charge sheet.
In Count Three, the defendant was also accused of stealing. The prosecution alleged that a Tecno T528 phone with SIM card valued at N25,000, property of one Eze Ifeanychukwu, was stolen. The offence was listed under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The matter was presented by officers of the Ojo Police Division. The charge sheet was signed by CSP Opeifa Omolola, Divisional Police Officer, Ojo.
During arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The prosecutor, SP Uche Simeon, urged the court to grant a hearing date to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M. Ogun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are to provide evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The court ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Badagry Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions. The matter was adjourned to a later date for hearing.
It is a legal principle that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The court will consider evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence before reaching a decision.
Authorities have urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and to allow the judicial process to run its full course. Further updates will be provided as proceedings continue.
