Ekiti woman bags 7-year jail sentence for mutilating boyfriend’s manh00d

A High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced a 35-year-old woman, Joy Ikoja, to seven years’ imprisonment for causing grievous harm to her partner, Ibrahim Usman, during a violent confrontation.

Ikoja was arraigned by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice on a two-count charge of attempted murder and causing grievous harm under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. The case stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 12, 2025, in the Irona area of Ado-Ekiti.

According to court records, Ikoja and Usman had lived together as romantic partners in a single room for about three years. Trouble reportedly began after Ikoja accommodated her female friend, Mayowa Ayomide, who was experiencing housing difficulties, with Usman’s consent.

The court heard that the arrangement later broke down after Mayowa and Usman allegedly began a secret s3xual relationship while living under the same roof. On the evening of April 12, 2025, Ikoja allegedly returned home and found the door locked from the inside. After gaining entry, she reportedly caught Usman and Mayowa together in bed.

The court heard that Usman attempted to protect Mayowa by pushing her away and blocking Ikoja’s path. During the altercation, Ikoja allegedly grabbed Usman’s genitals, causing a severe injury to his scrotum that exposed his testes. Usman was rushed to the Police Cottage Hospital in Okesa, Ado-Ekiti, before being referred to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital after the wound became infected and required specialist treatment.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by F.O. Awoniyi, called four witnesses, including police investigators and the attending medical doctor. The prosecution also tendered five exhibits, including photographs, a certificate of compliance, Ikoja’s confessional statement and a medical report.

Represented by Legal Aid Council counsel Adeyinka Opaleke, Ikoja pleaded not guilty. She later denied making the confessional statement, insisting she was involved only in a brief fight and did not inflict the injury.

In her judgment, Justice Oyinkansola Oluboyede acquitted Ikoja of attempted murder, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove there was an intention to kill or that a lethal weapon was used. However, the court found her guilty of causing grievous harm. The judge held that Ikoja’s denial was an afterthought, stating that her confessional statement was supported by medical evidence and police testimony. Before sentencing, Justice Oluboyede criticised the defence strategy.

“Before I pronounce the sentencing of the Defendant, I must say that in my opinion, this is a case where the facts of the case were clear and evidence of the guilt of the Defendant is quite direct, therefore Counsel should have rather than enabling the Defendant try to wriggle out of, or wangle her way out of an offence she clearly committed, sought a plea deal with the state/prosecution. This would have achieved lowering legal fees, reduced jail time, secured a faster and certain resolution, and reduced charges and lighter sentences.

“In addition, there would have been protection and privacy of the victim, ultimately where there is no trial at all, or there has been no lengthy trial. This Court understands that the Defendant’s action was mostly borne out of uncontrolled emotions and passion against her intimate partner.

“However, there is no justification for violence and this should serve as a deterrence to any other aggressive partners or would-be aggressive partners. I will not say more than this. I therefore sentence the Defendant to the maximum punishment prescribed under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021 for the offence of grievous harm, which is seven (7) years imprisonment, excluding the time served in detention.”