LAGOS magistrate's court has remanded five women aged between 33 and 61in custody for engaging in prostitution in the Ikoyi area of the state in a major departure from the past where such acts were overlooked by the authorities 

Following complaints from local residents of the Thompson Avenue area of Ikoyi, police arrested the women identified as Helen Ugwu, 33, Chika Okoro, 40, Roseline Jebba, 43, Sandra Akomake, 58, and Udega Theresa, 61. A warrant for their arrest was signed by the divisional police officer in charge of Ikoyi Division of the Nigerian Police Force, Lagos State Police Command, Superintendant Mustapha Tijani. 

After investigation by Inspector Phillip Igbinovia and his team, the accused persons were arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a one count charge of felony to wit, unlawful engagement in prostitution in Ikoyi, Lagos. Police prosecutor, Sergeant Nicholas Akpene, said the offence the accused persons committed is punishable under section 142(1)(3)(b) of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011. 

During the hearing, the first to fourth accused persons pleaded guilty to the crime in the open court, while the fifth accused, who claimed to be pregnant, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Subsequently, the presiding magistrate, Mrs Omoyemi, admitted the pregnant accused woman to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. 

She ordered that the four accused persons who pleaded guilty be remanded in prison custody until November 30 for facts and sentence. In the past, Nigerian authorities have turned a blind eye to prostitution.