Woman faces charges for cutting lovers manhood in Ekiti

A Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has granted approval for the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice to prosecute Joy Ikoja.

The 20-year-old mother of two allegedly attacked her boyfriend, Ibrahim Usman, and tore his scrotum during an argument.

According to reports, the violent incident occurred on April 12, 2025, at the Irona area in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Following the attack, the Ekiti State Police Command initially arraigned Ikoja on charges of unlawful infliction of wound.

However, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ado-Ekiti Branch, expressed dissatisfaction with the initial charge filed by the police.

In a formal petition, the association requested the Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution of the case.

They described the act as brutal and classified it as attempted murder under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.

The association referenced Section 241 of the 2021 Ekiti criminal statute, which prescribes life imprisonment for attempted murder.

NBA members argued that the assault reflects a growing trend of domestic violence against men in the state.

They said such acts deserve stronger legal responses to discourage recurrence and ensure equal protection for male victims.

During Tuesday’s court session, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, F.O Awoniyi, represented the Ministry of Justice in court.

Awoniyi said he was acting on the instruction of the State Attorney General, Dayo Apata, SAN.

He urged the court to allow the ministry to assume full control of the prosecution.

Awoniyi also requested that the original police case file be submitted to the ministry for further legal review.

He expressed concern that domestic violence against men is becoming rampant across the state and must be discouraged.

He informed the court that the accused was previously arraigned for a similar assault on another man.

According to him, that case ended with a settlement after the complainant pleaded for mercy and withdrew the charge.

Awoniyi maintained that consistent leniency could encourage repeated violence by known offenders.

Defense counsel, David Ogbede, orally requested bail for the accused, citing her right to a fair trial.

He argued that the court should not ignore her presumption of innocence while awaiting trial.

In his ruling, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola denied the bail request and granted the ministry’s request to prosecute.

He urged the Ministry of Justice to fast-track its review and ensure speedy prosecution of the case.

The magistrate adjourned the case to May 12, 2025, for further hearing and directives.

The incident has sparked public debate about gender-based violence and the legal system’s treatment of male victims.

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