The police has arraigned a 35-year-old trader, Ufuoma Adavwetvwe, who was caught with a 20-months-old baby before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court sitting in Lagos.
DAILY POST gathered that the toddler identified as Ifeanyi Okwedi was playing in a compound on Fatai Aremu Street in the Ajegunle area of the State when 35-year old Adavwetvwe attempted to whisk him away.
Adavwetvwe, a mechanic, who hails from Delta State, was said to have been challenged by a resident of the area who saw him trying to elope with the toddler. Upon been confronted, he introduced himself as Okwedi’s father to a resident who later called the attention of other residents.
The timely intervention of police officers attached to the Ajegunle Division saved the suspect from been lynched by angry mob who descended on him after rescuing the child.
Adavwetvwe was alleged to have told the police that he intended to sell the baby to one Wale in the Marina area of the state.
He said, “I am a trader. I live on Agbeino Street, Olodi-Apapa. The boy did not answer me when I waved to him. I chased and carried him while he was trying to run inside. I was going to sell the baby Wale in Marina.”
Father of the boy, while reacting to the attempt kidnapping, said he got wind of the incident when a neighbour rushed into his room with the news of what was happening.
James averred, “After feeding my son on the fateful day, I left him outside to play with other children. Her mother was cooking in the kitchen. Suddenly, a man rushed in and told me that he saw my child with a stranger. I did not believe until I got to the street and saw a crowd around the suspect and my child.”
Adavwetvwe was docked in an Apapa Magisterate Court on a one count count charge of kidnapping.
The charge read, “That you, Ufuoma Adavwetvwe, on May 17, 2015, at about 12pm on Fatai Aremu Street, Ajegunle, in the Apapa Magisterial District, did steal a year and eight months old child, Ifeanyi Okwedi, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 275 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
Adavwetvwe however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The presiding magistrate, Mr. P. A. Adekomaya, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
Adekomaya adjourned the case till June 17, 2015.
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