Court Grants Bail To Woman Who Allegedly Stole 11-Year-Old Child

• A 24-year-old woman, Ugochi Ugbawa, was arraigned in Awka for allegedly stealing an 11-year-old child but pleaded not guilty to the charges
• The Chief Magistrate granted her bail at N3 million with a surety in like sum, while the case was adjourned to May 28 for hearing
• The police prosecutor and the child’s mother declined to speak on the case, which involves conspiracy and child theft under Anambra’s criminal laws

Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State capital, presided over by Chief Magistrate U.E Onochie, has granted a young woman, Ugochi Ugbawa, who reportedly stole 11-year-old baby, bail in the sum of three million naira (N3m), with a surety in like sum.

The 24-year-old lady, residing in Okpoko, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State, appeared in court over alleged child stealing.

She was arraigned on a 3 count charge bordering on conspiracy, child stealing, and forceful separation of baby from its family.

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Mrs Chinyere Okechukwu, a Police Prosecutor, told the court that the defendant, and others on the run, committed the offences on January 16, 2025, at their residence in Okpoko, near Onitsha in Anambra State.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 495(a) and 321of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, as amended, and Section 15(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2017.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, after listening to the matter, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N3 million, with a surety in like sum; and adjourned the case till May 28, for hearing.

Police Procecutor would not allow our Correspondent speak with the defendant after the court. Also, mother of the baby-boy, who gave her name as Chi, told our Correspondent that she was not disposed to speak on the matter at the moment.

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Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Ogun command of the southwest security network, also known as Amotekun, said it rescued 16 alleged victims of sexual abuse in the state on Wednesday, February 12.

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As reported by Vanguard, the victims, whose ages range between 12 and 27 years, were rescued from a brothel at Railway Line Hotel, located in the Ifo local government area of Ogun state.

Police rescue 2-month-old stolen baby

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the police rescued a two-month-old baby stolen during a naming ceremony organised by the new parents in Lagos.

State police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said five people, including Pastor Peter Udoh, were arrested for allegedly trying to sell the baby.