A 20-year-old woman, Joy Ikoja, has been remanded in a correctional centre by a Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly attacking her boyfriend and causing serious injuries to his private parts. The incident, which reportedly happened on April 12 around 8 p.m., occurred in the Irona area of Ado-Ekiti.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun, the young woman suspected her boyfriend, Mr Ibrahim Usman, of having a romantic affair with one of her close friends. Out of jealousy and anger, she allegedly confronted him and inflicted injuries on his genitals during a heated argument.
The court charged Ikoja with causing bodily harm and disturbing public peace. She was docked on Tuesday, April 15, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Inspector Adesegun told the court that the defendant’s actions went beyond a mere lovers’ quarrel and amounted to a criminal offence. He said the accused conducted herself in a way that was likely to cause public unrest in the community.
“The defendant believed her boyfriend was cheating on her with her friend. In a fit of rage, she attacked him and injured his genitals,” Adesegun stated before the court.
He explained that the offence violated Sections 186, 255, 256(a), and 181(1)(d) of the Ekiti State Criminal Law of 2021. These sections deal with causing bodily harm, assault, and behavior likely to cause a breach of peace.
Adesegun further requested the court to grant an adjournment to allow him time to assemble his witnesses who would testify against the defendant.
In response, the defendant’s lawyer, Mr David Ogbede, appealed to the court to consider granting bail to his client. He argued that she was still presumed innocent until proven guilty and should be allowed to remain free pending the hearing of the case.
However, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola rejected the bail request and ruled that Joy Ikoja be remanded in a correctional facility. He then adjourned the case to April 22 for further mention.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents of Ado-Ekiti and beyond, especially on social media where many Nigerians are reacting strongly to the case. Some people condemned the violent act, saying that no matter the situation, such a level of aggression cannot be justified. Others expressed concern about the rising cases of violence in romantic relationships, especially among young people.
Experts in relationship counseling have warned that issues of mistrust and infidelity, if not properly addressed, can lead to dangerous consequences. A psychologist, Mrs. Ronke Ojo, who spoke to our correspondent, said that emotional instability and lack of conflict resolution skills often lead to such outbursts.
“This is not just about jealousy. It’s about emotional immaturity and an inability to manage anger. Young people need to be taught how to handle conflicts in relationships without resorting to violence,” she said.
She further advised couples to seek help from trusted elders, religious leaders, or professional counselors instead of taking the law into their own hands.
Under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, assault and causing bodily harm are considered serious offences. If found guilty, the defendant could face several years in prison. Legal experts say that although the accused is still presumed innocent, the nature of the allegations may influence the court’s decision on bail and sentencing, if convicted.
Barrister Akinwumi Adebayo, a criminal law expert, explained that even if the motive for the attack was emotional, the act itself is still criminal in the eyes of the law.
“Being angry or jealous does not give anyone the right to physically harm another person. The law is clear about that. If the allegations are proven, the consequences could be quite severe,” he said.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Reports of lovers attacking each other over infidelity or disagreements have become increasingly common in Nigeria. In 2024, a similar case in Lagos State made headlines when a woman poured hot water on her partner after suspecting he was unfaithful. That case also ended in court, with the woman eventually sentenced to several years in prison.
Such incidents highlight the urgent need for more awareness and education about healthy relationship practices. Many NGOs and women’s groups have been calling for more support systems, including hotlines and crisis centers, to help couples deal with emotional and domestic issues before they escalate.
As the case resumes on April 22, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the court handles the matter. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Usman, the victim, is said to be recovering from his injuries, though no detailed information about his condition has been released publicly.
The court is expected to hear testimonies from witnesses, including possibly the victim himself, to determine the next steps in the trial. If found guilty, Joy Ikoja could face years behind bars, which may serve as a warning to others about the dangers of letting emotions get out of control.
