In a proceeding at the Ikeja Sexual Offence and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday, Justice Abiola Soladoye ordered the remand of Gabriel Ogbonnaya in the Nigerian Correctional Service. The charges against Ogbonnaya include the alleged defilement of a seven-year-old girl, with two counts of unlawful sexual assault and defilement brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

During the arraignment, the state prosecution counsel, Olusola Soneye, informed the court that the defendant committed these offenses between February 2022 and February 2023, specifically at No 2 Abose Street in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State. Soneye detailed the nature of the assault, stating that Ogbonnaya inappropriately touched the victim’s vagina with his hands and further defiled her by penetrating with his penis.

These actions, as outlined by Soneye, are in violation of Sections 263 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Despite the serious charges, Ogbonnaya pleaded not guilty.

In response to his plea, Justice Soladoye ordered the defendant’s remand in a correctional facility pending the consideration of his bail application. The case has been adjourned until January 17, 2023, marking the commencement of the trial.