Kogi chief arraigned for defilement

The Head of the Igala Community in Lagos State, Muhammad Salifu, has been arraigned in court for alleged defilement of a teenager in 2023. The Secretary of the Amonu Igala Ujah Ache Council, Daniel Omeje, disclosed this update to City Round on Wednesday. He said, “Following a careful and thorough investigation conducted by the Gender Office in Ikeja, Mr Muhammad Salifu Shaibu has officially been charged to court. “At the recent court session, Chief George listened to the arguments and submissions from all parties involved in the case. Following the deliberations, the matter has been adjourned until November 19, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. “We will continue to monitor the proceedings closely and ensure you are kept informed as the legal process moves forward.” Salifu was arrested on September 16 by police officers from the Gender Unit of the Lagos Police Command, with officers from Ogudu Police Station, after putting up a resistance.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Last Saturday, after City Round reported the arrest of the 58-year-old, it gathered that his wife and one Mr Isah Ayegba were granted release that day from detention at the Gender Unit office. “The release of Chief Mohammed Salifu was heavily expedited by the intervention of our revered community elders, who came forward to guarantee their bail following concerns over his rapidly deteriorating health condition while in detention,” Omeje said. He added that as part of the conditions tied to this administrative release, they were required to report back to the Gender Office on Monday morning for the continuation of the ongoing process. Meanwhile, a letter of appeal sent to the mother of the survivor, Mrs Elizabeth Yakubu, from the Igala Youth Community, seen by City Round, had urged her to withdraw the case from the police station. Cocaine trafficking: KC Luxury, others remanded Vanishing legal tender: Sad fall of N5, N10, N20 notes Trader, two firms convicted of fake drug peddling It partly read, “There is an overwhelming and passionate appeal from Igala sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, pleading for this matter to be withdrawn from the police station. “Our core objective is to prevent this situation from escalating into an adversarial court case, which would inevitably bring division and strain the leadership of the Onu Igala Lagos State.” On September 6, Saturday PUNCH reported that the teenager was allegedly raped twice by the Kogi chief at a hotel in Ojota, Lagos, in December 2023, when she was 15 years old. According to the girl’s mother, Mrs Yakubu, the teenager later became pregnant, and her mother said Salifu initially denied responsibility but subsequently acknowledged the pregnancy and paid N50,000 for an abortion, which the family rejected. According to a petition by their lawyer, Kazeem Adebanjo, the teenager eventually underwent a caesarean section after prolonged labour, but the baby died shortly after birth. The lawyer also alleged that the teenager suffered complications that damaged her womb, while her father later died amid the family’s ordeal. The Yakubu family had reported the matter to Ketu Police Station, the Gender Unit and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, which referred the case to the police for investigation. Commenting on the update, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi told City Round, “Following recent developments regarding the reported case of alleged defilement involving Mr Shaibu Muhammed and a 15-year-old survivor, the suspect was charged for the offence of Defilement contrary to section 137 of the Criminal law of Lagos State. “The Lagos State Government reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and remains committed to seeing the matter through the appropriate legal and institutional processes. We hereby assure survivors and the public of our continued commitment to due process, survivor support and access to justice.” Victor Ayeni Victor is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers’ Features Desk with over ten years of experience as a writer and blogger. He has reported on a wide range of topics, including Lagos State Government affairs and Lagos politics, blending in-depth research with engaging storytelling. Victor’s work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to clear, accurate, and compelling journalism.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.