Ondo Court Remands Landlady for Allegedly Poisoning Tenant's Three-Year-Old Son
A 40-year-old woman, Nafisat Lateef, was remanded by a Magistrate's Court in Ondo State on Thursday, March 5, 2026, following serious allegations that she poisoned her tenant's three-year-old son. The incident stemmed from a misunderstanding with the child's mother, leading to charges of unlawful administration of a harmful substance.
Details of the Alleged Crime
According to the charge sheet, on February 4, 2026, at approximately 6:30 PM at Aliami Street, Omifon via Odigbo, within the Ondo State Magisterial District, Lateef administered a liquid suspected to be poison to the boy, identified as Abdurasheed Musibau. This act caused significant harm to the child and contravenes Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Additionally, Lateef was accused of unlawfully giving a chemical liquid to the child at the same time and location, an offence punishable under Section 22(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2006. Shortly after consuming the substance, the child began vomiting and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Police detectives conducted a swift and intelligence-led operation, resulting in the arrest of the suspect. During questioning in court, Lateef explained that the boy's mother was her tenant and that they had previously lived peacefully together. She noted that the child's mother frequently visited her shop and that she often assisted in collecting the children from school.
On the day of the incident, Lateef claimed she returned home intending to eat but felt an unusual impulse. She told the court, "I don't know what came over me. I went straight to my room and brought out the poison. The victim was with me. I opened it and used the cover of the poison to put it in his mouth. After I did it, my eyes opened immediately."
Court Proceedings and Remand Order
Lateef further claimed that she rushed to Ore Police Station to report the incident and was subsequently directed to Odigbo Police Station. In a plea for leniency, she stated, "Please, my Lord, it was the devil's handiwork." The prosecutor, ASP Martins Olowofeso, requested that the defendant be remanded to allow the police to forward the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
Defence counsel, Godwin Bernard, did not oppose the application. Magistrate Temitope Alphonso ordered that Lateef be remanded at the Surulere Correctional facility in Ondo. The magistrate also directed that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further review and advice.
The matter has been adjourned to June 9, 2026, for mention and additional legal guidance, as the court continues to process this distressing case involving child harm and alleged criminal intent.
