CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 23-year-old man, Timothy Olasunkanmi Shorunke, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos State, over alleged non-consensual recording and threat to publish a private video of a 26-year-old woman in Lagos.
The defendant was brought before the court by officers from the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, following a complaint lodged by the victim.
The case was heard before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu with Superintendent of Police, SP Phillip Ademigbuji, leading the prosecution for the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet filed by the police prosecutor, the incident allegedly occurred sometime in December 2025 at No 8, Rev Kwakpovwe Street, Agboyi Estate, Alapere, Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
Police alleged that during a video call with the complainant, a 26-year-old lady, the defendant screen-recorded a video containing her private images without her consent.
The first count against the defendant read that he threatened to publish the said video on social media. The offence, according to the prosecution, is punishable under Section 259 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015, which deals with offences relating to threatening to distribute intimate images and cyber-harassment.
In the second count, the police alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by emotionally traumatizing the complainant through threats to publish her private images. This offence is said to be contrary to Section 168 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 259 of the Lagos Criminal Law criminalizes the unlawful distribution or threat to distribute intimate images of another person without consent, with the law providing stiff penalties aimed at curbing sexual and gender-based violence and cyberstalking in the state.
The law was enacted to protect victims of revenge porn and cyber-bullying, which has become rampant in recent times.
The case was filed by the Commissioner of Police against Timothy Olasunkanmi Shorunke and is being handled by the Gender Unit of the Command, which is saddled with investigation and prosecution of domestic violence, sexual harassment and related offences.
Sources at the Gender Section disclosed that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) assigned to the case was Corporal David Sunday, and the matter has been referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, for legal advice as required by law.
When the two-count charge was read to the defendant in court, he pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Following his plea, his defence counsel applied for bail, urging the court to grant him bail in liberal terms and assuring that he would not jump bail and would make himself available for trial.
The prosecutor, SP Phillip Ademigbuji, did not oppose his bail but asked the court to impose conditions that would ensure the defendant attends trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for mention and trial.
The Lagos State Police Command has in recent months intensified its campaign against gender-based violence and cyber-bullying, warning members of the public to desist from recording or sharing intimate contents of individuals without consent.
Police authorities say the Gender Section at Ikeja remains open to receive complaints from victims of harassment, intimidation and threats involving private images.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction.