An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of a lesson teacher, identified simply as Michael, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old student in the Ketu area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the development on Friday, days after reports emerged of the alleged sexual assault and claims that some police officers attempted to obstruct the prosecution of the case.

According to earlier reports, the survivor’s mother, Mrs Zainab Musa, alleged that some police officers pressured her family to accept N200,000 and discontinue the matter.

Police Deny Allegations of Interference

Responding to the allegations on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, described the claims as “a mere allegation” and maintained that they were untrue.

She explained that the suspect collapsed on July 15 while arrangements were being made for his arraignment in the presence of the survivor and her mother.

“He was immediately rushed to the Lagos State Emergency Hospital at Toll Gate, where he was admitted, and was later transferred to Gbagada General Hospital,” Adebisi said.

Court Fixes August 24 for Hearing

Providing an update on Friday, Adebisi disclosed that the suspect had since been arraigned before the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.

“The suspect has been arraigned before the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court and remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre,” she said, adding that the case has been adjourned until August 24 for hearing.

According to previous reports, Michael allegedly sexually assaulted the teenager on several occasions inside the tutorial centre and threatened her to keep the incidents secret.

NGO Calls for Justice

Following reports that the suspect had been hospitalised after collapsing, the founder of the DOHS Cares Foundation, Ololade Ajayi, urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to ensure the defendant does not evade prosecution.

Ajayi, whose organisation advocates against gender-based violence and monitors femicide cases, called for a thorough legal process to ensure justice is served.