CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 43-year-old female teacher, Mariam Ajibola, has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Center for allegedly sexually assaulting a 4-year-old pupil at a private school in Shasha area of Lagos State.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola at the Lagos Magisterial District on a one-count charge marked Charge No. Co/B/108/24 / 2026 filed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
The prosecution was led by ASP Lucky Ihehie.
The charge sheet was signed by CSP Omolola Odutola, Police Officer, while the Investigating Police Officer is W/Inspr. Raimi Idowu of the Gender Section, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.
According to the charge, Mariam Ajibola ‘F’, age 43 years, sometimes in the month of July, 2026, at Sweet Angel Nursery/Primary School, Shasha, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, allegedly sexually assaulted a 4-year-old pupil, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 264 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The charge was approved by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, as stamped by the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba.
When the charge was read to her, her plea was not taken by the Magistrate’s Court as the offence is an indictable offence which requires DPP advice.
The prosecutor, ASP Lucky Ihehie, informed the court that the defendant is a teacher at Sweet Angel Nursery/Primary School, Shasha, where the alleged incident was reported to have occurred.
ASP Ihehie told the court that the offence is a serious felony of alleged sexual assault against a minor, which can only be tried at the High Court.
He applied that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center pending the outcome of DPP advice and that the case file be duplicated for DPP advice.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. M.O. Tanimola ordered that the defendant, Mariam Ajibola, be remanded at the Correctional Center, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending the outcome of DPP advice.
Magistrate Tanimola also directed the police to duplicate the case file and forward same to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and adjourned the matter pending DPP advice.
The case was reported to the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, which is responsible for investigating cases of sexual assault, defilement and gender-based violence across the state.
Police sources said the complaint was lodged by the parents of the 4-year-old pupil after the child complained, leading to the arrest of the teacher and investigation by the Gender Section.
The Lagos State Police Command said it has zero tolerance for cases of child defilement and sexual assault, especially in schools, and assured that all such cases will be thoroughly investigated and charged to court.
The Command urged school owners and parents to be vigilant and to monitor the activities of teachers and caregivers.
The Lagos State Government, through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, and the Ministry of Education, has reiterated its commitment to protecting children against sexual abuse and ensuring that schools remain safe spaces for learning.
The Government advised private school proprietors to conduct thorough background checks on teachers and to install child safeguarding policies.
Under Section 264 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, sexual assault is a grave offence which attracts severe punishment upon conviction at the High Court.
The court emphasized that the defendant, who is a teacher, is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
As at the time of filing this report, the female teacher remains in custody at Kirikiri Correctional Center pending the outcome of DPP advice.