Three women, Nkechi Obi, Patience Nwogbo and Ogechi Njoku, 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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