.jpg)
By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Victim and courtroom |
BADAGRY, LAGOS — A teenage romance took a violent turn in the historic town of Badagry as a 16-year-old girl was hauled before a Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 23, 2026. The defendant is facing criminal charges after allegedly attacking a 15-year-old rival with a razor blade in a heated dispute over a boyfriend.
The minor, whose identity remains protected under the Child Rights Law, pleaded not guilty to charges of threat to kill and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The prosecution, led by Friday Mameh, detailed a chilling account of the events that transpired on the night of February 20 at approximately 9:00 PM. According to court records, the confrontation occurred at the Khalakuta Jegba Quarters in Badagry.
The court heard that the defendant, driven by allegations that the 15-year-old victim had "snatched" her boyfriend, allegedly used a razor blade to slash the complainant's face. The prosecution argued that the motive was to disfigure the girl to force her to end the relationship.
"The defendant used a razor blade to cut the face of the complainant so that she would leave her boyfriend for her," Mameh told the court, adding that the violent outburst created significant "pandemonium" and panic within the neighborhood.
The police stated that the victim sustained visible injuries during the scuffle, leading to the defendant’s immediate arrest. The teenager is being prosecuted under Sections 230 and 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which address threats to life and disorderly conduct.
If convicted, the minor could face serious rehabilitation measures, as the law takes a stern view of violent assaults involving weapons like razor blades, regardless of the perpetrator's age.
Presiding Chief Magistrate A. J. Aina, while considering the gravity of the assault and the age of the defendant, granted bail in the sum of N1 million.
The bail conditions include: Two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 12.
The court has adjourned the matter until March 30, 2026, for mention. The case serves as a stark reminder of the rising concerns regarding juvenile delinquency and the violent resolution of interpersonal conflicts among teenagers in urban centers.
NAN