CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 46-year-old woman, Rita Sylvester Emakhu, who is said to be the sister of a landlady, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over the alleged assault of a female tenant in Isheri-Idimu area of Lagos State.
Emakhu was arraigned on Charge No. 26/2026 in a case filed by the Commissioner of Police.
She appeared before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kasunu in the Lagos Magisterial District. The prosecutor in the matter is SP Phillip Ademigbuji.
According to the charge read in court, the defendant is alleged to have committed the offence on September 2, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., at No. 4, Azeez Karaole Street, Isheri-Idimu, in the Lagos Magisterial District.
The police alleged that Emakhu unlawfully assaulted one Olagbegi Jumoke, a female tenant in the house, by allegedly using a car key to inflict injuries on her hand, chest and neck.
The charge was brought under Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The police officer listed in the charge sheet is Oni Waheed Adebisi. The case was investigated at Idimu Police Station, with ASP Samson Marshal and Inspector Justina Odamah listed as investigating officers.
When the charge was read to her, Emakhu pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of alleged assault.
Following her plea, the prosecutor, SP Phillip Ademigbuji, informed the court of the facts of the case and did not oppose bail, but asked the court to impose conditions that would ensure the defendant appears for trial.
Magistrate Kasunu, after listening to both sides, granted the defendant bail with two sureties.
The court ordered that the two sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment.
The magistrate further ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned for further proceedings, pending the perfection of bail and for trial to commence.
Legal experts note that bail is a constitutional right for a person accused of a bailable offence. The conditions imposed by the court are meant to ensure that the defendant does not abscond and that she attends court on all adjourned dates.
The requirement for sureties to show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment is a common practice in Lagos Magistrate Courts. It is intended to confirm that the sureties are responsible persons who can stand for the defendant.
The case has attracted attention in the Isheri-Idimu area, particularly because it involves a female tenant and the sister of the landlady. Residents in the area said disputes between landlords, their relatives and tenants often escalate when not properly managed.
However, the court has not made any finding on the cause of the alleged incident. The court will determine the facts based on evidence presented during trial.
Community leaders have continued to advise landlords, tenants and their relatives to resolve disagreements peacefully and to report any threat or incident to the police rather than taking the law into their own hands.
They also urge residents to avoid self-help, noting that alleged assault cases often lead to criminal charges, remand and prolonged court proceedings.
The police in Lagos have also advised members of the public to report landlord-tenant disputes early to the nearest police station for mediation, to prevent escalation into criminal matters.
As of the time of filing this report, the defendant remains in custody at Kirikiri pending the perfection of her bail conditions. She is expected to regain her freedom once the sureties meet the conditions set by the court.
The court reiterated that the defendant, Rita Sylvester Emakhu, remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.