CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 40-year-old man, Falowo Musibau, was on Monday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over alleged attempted rape of a 31-year old lady in the Ifako area of Lagos State.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola on a one-count charge of attempted rape contrary to Section 262 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The charge, with file number NOMIKLG/12026, was filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet read in court, the alleged incident occurred on the 5th day of July, 2026, at about 11:30am at Nelson Cole Street, Olowosokedile, Ifako, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant did attempt to rape the 31 years old by allegedly pushing her on a bed and attempting to have his way with her.
The offence of attempted rape under Section 262 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, carries significant penalties upon conviction.
The Prosecutor in the matter was ASP Lucky Ihehie. Court records also indicated the presence of ASP Omono Ubhi from the Gender Unit, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, as the Investigating Police Officer in the case.
When the charge was read to the defendant, the court did not take his plea. The details of the plea were not recorded in the charge sheet made available.
After listening to submissions from the prosecution, Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri, pending further proceedings in the matter.
The court also granted bail to the defendant in the sum and conditions to be determined, with two sureties in like sum. Details of the bail conditions were not specified in the document obtained.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter for mention to allow for further investigation and for due process to be followed.
Legal observers note that attempted rape cases in Lagos are typically handled with urgency due to the provisions of the Lagos State Criminal Law, which seeks to protect victims and ensure accountability.
The Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command has in recent years intensified advocacy and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases across the state.
As at the time of filing this report, the case file remains before the court and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
The next mention of the case is expected to hold on a date to be communicated by the court.