Blessing Bello, Reporting
A 52-year-old man has appeared before an Ogba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, accused of drugging a woman, recording himself engaging in a sexual act with her, and then using the footage to extort money from the victim.
Franklyn Njoku, whose address was not given, was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB) of the Lagos State Police Command.
According to prosecutors, the alleged offence took place on 30th January 2026 in the Epe area of Lagos.
Police reports indicate that after the alleged assault, Mr Njoku shared the video with a friend and began demanding money from the woman under threat of wider distribution.
Following his arrest and interrogation by police operatives, Mr Njoku was charged with four separate counts, including threats to life, breach of the peace, non-consensual recording and extortion, and rape.
The Charges In Full
The first count states that Mr Njoku used his iPhone 11 to send threatening messages to the victim on 30th January 2026 – an offence contrary to Section 56(1)(a) and (b) and punishable under Section 56(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
A second charge alleges that he “did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by luring the victim into your residence and unlawfully administering drugs and other chemical substances on her”, contrary to Section 168(d) of the same law.
The third count accuses him of recording the sexual act, forwarding the video to a friend, and using the recording to extort money – offences under Sections 149 and 150 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
A fourth charge alleges that on 12th January 2026, in the Falomo area of Lagos, Mr Njoku raped the same victim, contrary to Section 260 of the law.
Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
Mr Njoku pleaded not guilty to all charges. The presiding magistrate, Mrs M.O. Tanimola, granted him bail on condition that he provides two sureties. Each surety must provide evidence of a means of livelihood and proof of tax payment, with addresses to be verified by the court.
Prosecutor Inspector Lucky Ihiehie requested a hearing date, noting that the defendant’s not-guilty plea would require the police to prove their case.
The matter has been adjourned for mention. Until Mr Njoku meets the bail conditions, he has been remanded in custody at the correctional centre in Kirikiri town, Lagos.
The case has renewed calls from women’s advocacy groups for tougher enforcement of laws against sexual assault and image-based sexual abuse.
