Nafisat Lateef, a 40-year-old woman, was remanded by a Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State on March 5, following allegations of poisoning her tenant's young son in a dispute with the child's mother.
Lateef appeared in court on charges related to the unlawful administration of a dangerous substance.
According to the details in the charge sheet, on February 4, 2026, at around 6:30 PM on Aliami Street in Omifon, which falls within the Ondo State Magisterial District, she reportedly gave a liquid believed to be poison to the boy, Abdurasheed Musibau, resulting in considerable harm.
The prosecution highlighted that this action is in violation of Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, of the Laws of Ondo State, enacted in 2006.
Furthermore, Lateef was also accused of the unlawful provision of a harmful liquid to the child at the same location, contravening Section 22(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State.
After ingesting the substance, the child experienced severe vomiting and was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Police officers, following an intelligence-led operation, successfully apprehended the suspect shortly after the incident occurred.
During her court appearance, Lateef claimed that the child's mother was her tenant and insisted that they had shared a peaceful living situation previously.
She elaborated that the mother often visited her shop and helped in picking up the children from school.
That day, she testified that she had returned home intending to eat when she suddenly felt an inexplicable urge.
In her defense, Lateef told the court, "I don’t know what came over me. I went straight to my room and fetched the poison. The child was with me. I opened it and used the cover to administer it in his mouth. Once it was done, I realized what I had done."
She further reported that she rushed to Ore Police Station to report the incident, from where she was referred to Odigbo Police Station for further action.
In her plea, she stated, "Please, my Lord, it was the devil’s handiwork."
Prosecutor ASP Martins Olowofeso requested that Lateef be remanded while the police prepare the case file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The defense attorney, Godwin Bernard, did not oppose the prosecution's application for remand.
Magistrate Temitope Alphonso ordered that Lateef be housed at the Surulere Correctional Facility in Ondo.
Additionally, the magistrate instructed that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The hearing was postponed to June 9, 2026, for further proceedings and guidance.
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