An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered that a 47-year-old man, Paul Adebayo, be remanded in a custodial centre for allegedly defiling a seven-year-old girl.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the police charged Adebayo, who resides in Mende, Maryland, Lagos State, with defilement and sexual assault.

Magistrate Ejiro Kubeinje, who did not take Adebayo’s plea, directed the police to send the case file to the state Directorate of Public Prosecutions for advice. She adjourned the case till February 15 for mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, said Adebayo committed the offence on December 30, 2022, at Jonah Close, Mende, Maryland, Lagos.

She noted that the offence contravened sections 135 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.