Three women, Ogechi Njoku , Patience Nwogbo and Nkechi Obi , were on Wednesday charged before
an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a week-old baby. Obi,
25, Nwogbo, 58 and Njoku, 45, who all reside in Owerri, Imo, are facing a
three-count charge of conspiracy,
deprivation of liberty and child stealing.
The accused pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, Insp. Simon
Imhonwa, told the court that the offences were committed on Nov. 3.Imhonwa said
that one of the accused, Obi, had traveled in a commercial bus from Imo State
to Lagos State with a week-old baby that was not hers.
He said the driver of the commercial bus suspected foul play
because the baby cried ceaselessly throughout the journey. “The driver
suspected foul play, when the accused bearing the child failed to nurse the
baby that had been crying for hours throughout the duration of the journey.
“He then deliberately drove the bus to a police station
where a report was made. “Obi could not, however, give a valid reason for
bringing the baby to Lagos, nor provide information about the mother of the
child,” Imhonwa said. He said that the offences contravened Sections 270, 275
and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi,
admitted each of the accused to bail in the sum of N300,000, with two sureties
each in like sum. Osunsanm also ordered that the sureties must work in
reputable companies and show evidence of tax payments. The case was adjourned
till Jan. 25 for hearing.
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