74-year-old cleric remanded over alleged defilement of granddaughter

A 74-year-old cleric, Joseph Adeniran, has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over an alleged sexual offence involving his nine-year-old granddaughter.

Adeniran was arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on a charge of defilement.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the alleged incident occurred on June 18, 2026, at the defendant’s residence.

According to Ademigbuji, Adeniran allegedly inserted his finger into the victim, causing her to bleed heavily.

The prosecutor said the incident came to light after a neighbour observed bloodstains on the child’s clothes and raised concerns.

Ademigbuji told the court that when the neighbour asked the girl what had happened, she allegedly disclosed that her grandfather had fingered her, resulting in the bleeding.

He said the matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to Adeniran’s arrest.

The prosecutor said the alleged offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs C. M. Kushanu, did not take Adeniran’s plea.

Kushanu subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre until September 24, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.