A 20-year-old woman, Joy Ikoja, was remanded in custody by a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, after being accused of inflicting severe injury on the manhood of her boyfriend, Ibrahim Usman. The court, which convened on Thursday, also granted the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice permission to take over the prosecution of the case, a move that has drawn attention to the increasing prevalence of violence against men in the state.
Joy Ikoja, a mother of two, is said to have caused harm to Ibrahim Usman’s private parts in what has been described as a violent act. According to reports, the incident occurred in early April 2025, and Usman, the victim, sought medical attention following the alleged assault. The severity of the injury raised concerns, prompting legal actions to ensure that justice was served.
When the case was brought to court, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution in Ekiti State, F.O. Awoniyi, who was acting on the directive of the state Attorney General, Dayo Apata, SAN, moved to take over the prosecution from the initial charge. Awoniyi expressed concern about the increasing number of cases of violence against men, particularly in Ekiti, and called for a review of the case to ensure that it was handled with the seriousness it deserved.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado-Ekiti branch, was instrumental in pushing for the prosecution to be taken over by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice. The NBA expressed dissatisfaction with the charges initially laid against Ikoja and wrote to the Ministry of Justice, citing the increasing incidents of violence against men in the state as a concern.
In their communication, the NBA stressed that the act allegedly committed by Ikoja amounted to attempted murder, a charge that could carry a life sentence under Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. The association pointed out that such acts should not be tolerated in the state and that justice should be pursued regardless of gender, emphasizing that violence, no matter the victim, should be treated with the utmost seriousness.
The incident, which took place at Ikoja’s residence in Ado-Ekiti, has shocked the local community. Ibrahim Usman, who reportedly had been in a relationship with Joy Ikoja, was said to have sustained severe injury to his genitals, requiring urgent medical intervention. Usman later reported the incident to the police, which led to the arrest of Ikoja.
While the details of what led to the attack remain unclear, sources suggest that it was a result of a domestic disagreement between the couple. This incident has sparked conversations on social media and in local circles about the growing trend of gender-based violence in various forms, with many highlighting that men, too, are victims of violence but often lack the same support systems as women.
The case has also brought attention to the issue of domestic violence against men, an often underreported problem. Though domestic violence is more commonly associated with women as victims, cases like this highlight that men, too, can be victims of abusive behavior. Legal experts argue that the law must be impartial in handling cases of abuse and violence, regardless of the gender of the victim.
F.O. Awoniyi, representing the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice, made a strong case for the seriousness of the charges against Ikoja, emphasizing the need for the legal system to treat the case as one of attempted murder, which carries a life sentence. He pointed out that such cases are not only about individual victims but also about discouraging similar future acts of violence.
The Deputy Director noted that this was not the first time Ikoja had been involved in a violent altercation. According to court records, the defendant had been arraigned before the court just two weeks earlier for a similar offense, but the case was dropped after a passionate plea from the nominal complainant, leading to a settlement.
However, the gravity of the current incident has led to heightened scrutiny. With the NBA and the Ministry of Justice stepping in, there is an indication that this case will be pursued with greater urgency.
During the court proceedings, Joy Ikoja’s lawyer, David Ogbede, made an oral application for her bail. He urged the court to consider granting her bail, arguing that justice should not be delayed, and expressing concern about the potential for her prolonged detention. However, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola ruled that Ikoja should remain in custody, denying her bail application. Magistrate Daramola emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need for the case to proceed quickly.
The magistrate granted the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice the authority to prosecute Ikoja and called for an accelerated review of the case.
In the meantime, the court has adjourned the matter for a further hearing on May 12, 2025, when more details are expected to emerge about the charges against Ikoja and the legal arguments from both sides.
