Man Remanded In Kirikiri Over Alleged Sexual Assault Of Five Women
Kehinde Adeleye
A 34-year-old man, Samuel Ante, has been remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, over allegations of sexual assault involving five women in separate incidents said to have occurred between 2021 and 2024.
Ante was arraigned before Magistrate M.O. Tanimola of the Ikeja Magistrate Court on a six-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.
The charges border on alleged sexual assault, assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The prosecution was led by ASP Lucky Ihehie.
According to the charge sheet, the case was investigated by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, Outstation, Alausa, Ikeja, with Inspector Alli-Balogun J. handling the investigation before the case file was forwarded for legal advice.
The alleged incidents were said to have occurred at Okiki Imole Street, Ikola, Ipaja, Lagos State, within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
In the first count, the Police alleged that Ante sexually assaulted a woman without her consent sometime between 2021 and 2022.
The alleged offence was said to contravene Section 263(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In the second count, the defendant was accused of unlawfully touching another woman without her consent sometime between 2023 and 2024 while she was allegedly unconscious.
The third count alleged that Ante assaulted another woman in 2023 by allegedly forcing her to consume alcohol against her will, resulting in harm.
The Police said the alleged offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In the fourth count, Ante was accused of sexually assaulting another woman without her consent sometime in 2023.
The fifth count alleged that he unlawfully touched another woman without her consent despite her alleged resistance.
The sixth count alleged that between 2021 and 2023, Ante compelled complainants and other persons described as models to consume alcoholic drinks against their will whenever they failed to answer questions relating to modelling.
The prosecution alleged that force was applied to the persons involved without their consent, contrary to Section 168(1)(a) and punishable under Section 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Following the reading of the charges, the defendant’s plea was not taken pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
ASP Ihehie told the court that the prosecution was awaiting the DPP’s advice to determine the appropriate court for the trial.
Magistrate Tanimola subsequently ordered that Ante be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and adjourned the matter for further proceedings.
The case involves five complainants and alleged incidents spanning several years.
The identities of the alleged victims have been withheld to protect their privacy and safety.
The allegations against Ante have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
