A 52-year female pastor, Charity Okpara, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing a four-month baby girl from her church member.
Okpara, who resides in Ojo area of Lagos, was arraigned on a four-count-charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful abduction and child trafficking, to which she pleaded not guilty.
The police prosecutor, Ezekiel Ayorinde alleged that the defendant stole the baby, Princess Oluchi, daughter of one Blessing Okon.
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Ayorinde told the court that the defendant committed the offences with others still at large on November 5 at No. 5 Kayode Street, Ajangbadi, Lagos.
The prosecutor said: “All efforts made to locate the baby proved abortive.” The offence violates Ssctions 141, 277(1) 277(b) and 411 of the Criminal laws of Lagos State 2015,
The chief magistrate, B. O. Osunsanmi, admitted the defendant to a bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Osunsanmi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State government and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. The magistrate adjourned the case until February 24 for substantive hearing. NAN
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