Abidemi Emmanuel, a 23-year-old man, has been remanded in a correctional facility over allegations that he r*ped model Fems Thrift and her friend after enticing them with a fake modeling opportunity.
Emmanuel was arraigned on Tuesday, Feb. 17, before a magistrate’s court in Lagos State, and the case has been adjourned to March 19 for further hearing.
The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect was remanded after his arraignment and that investigations were ongoing.
“The suspect has been arraigned and remanded in a correctional facility.
“The case has been adjourned till March 19, 2026. Investigation is still ongoing,” she told Punch on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Recall that Fems cried out on Febryary 11 that a certain man contacted her on Instagram, claiming to have relocated from the United Kingdom to launch an international fashion brand in Nigeria. She said he offered her N140,000 for the modelling gig and asked her to promote the brand using her social media influence.
For safety’s sake, she said she went with a friend to the address in Ajao Estate and was surprised to see that it was a residential apartment and it was empty. When she asked questions, she claimed Emmanuel told her he rented the place for the shoot and that the makeup artist stepped out briefly.
However, as she got ready for the shoot, she said Emmanuel produced a knife with which he threatened them before tying them up with socks, after which he penetrated them.
She also claimed he seized their phones, transferred intimate photos and videos to himself via AirDrop, and threatened to release the materials online if they spoke out.
The police arrested Emmanuel on February 14, 2026, following public outcry.
The case is being handled by the Command’s Gender Unit.