Lagos court grants bail as woman faces charge over alleged attempt to subject child to female circumcision
A 34-year-old woman, Janet Ojeka, has been arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over an alleged attempt to have her 12-year-old daughter circumcised.
Ojeka was brought before Magistrate M.O. Tanimola following her arrest by operatives of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Outstation, Alausa, Ikeja.
The prosecution alleged that the incident occurred on August 18, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. at No. 4 Guinness Street, off Pero Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos.
According to the police, Ojeka allegedly intended to take her daughter, identified as Fedora Francis, to her paternal home in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the circumcision was allegedly to be carried out.
The DSVA was reportedly alerted to the alleged plan and intervened before the act could take place. The woman was subsequently handed over to the police for prosecution.
She was charged in a one-count charge under Section 21 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prohibits female circumcision and related acts.
The charge alleged that Ojeka attempted to subject her daughter to female circumcision by intending to take her to Ibadan for the procedure.
When the charge was read to her in court, Ojeka pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, ASP Lucky Ihehie, told the court that the matter involved an alleged attempt to carry out an act prohibited under Lagos State law. He requested an adjournment for hearing and asked the court to remand the defendant pending the perfection of her bail.
Magistrate Tanimola, however, granted the defendant bail with a surety. The surety is required to provide evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The court ordered that Ojeka be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending the fulfilment of her bail conditions.
The case was adjourned for mention, while ASP Udeh Benedicta R., the police officer who endorsed the charge sheet, is expected to produce the case file.
THE BELIEF BEHIND FEMALE CIRCUMCISION
Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation, has historically been associated with certain traditional beliefs in parts of Nigeria.
Some communities have wrongly believed that the practice could control a girl's sexual behaviour, preserve chastity or prepare her for marriage.
Health authorities and rights organisations, however, have warned that the practice provides no medical benefit and can expose girls and women to serious complications, including severe bleeding, infections, psychological trauma and complications during childbirth.
Lagos State law prohibits the practice, including attempts to subject a girl to female circumcision.
The DSVA has continued to warn parents and guardians against harmful practices involving children, stressing that suspected violations may attract criminal prosecution.
Ojeka's case is expected to continue following the fulfilment of her bail conditions.
