Three women who allegedly stole a week old baby were on Wednesday arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ikeja.
The accused persons, Nkechi Obi, 25, Patience Nwogbo, 58 and 45-year-old Ogechi Njoku, all resident in Owerri, Imo State, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, deprivation of liberty and child stealing.
Testifying before the court, the prosecuting officer, Insp. Simon Imhonwa, said the offences were committed on Nov. 3.
Imhonwa told the court 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.
According to the prosecutor, the driver of the commercial bus suspected a foul play when the baby cried ceaselessly throughout the journey.
Imhonwa said, “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.”
The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 270, 275 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
However when the charges were read, the accused persons pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, in her ruling granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N300,000, with two sureties each in like sum, adding that the sureties must work in reputable companies and show evidence of tax payments.
Osunsanmi consequently adjourned till Jan. 25 for hearing.
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