8th April, 2011
A businessman, Saka Makanjuola has been remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons, Apapa, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria on the orders of an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing a five-month old baby girl in the market.
The remand order was issued by Mrs. S.O. Solebo when Makanjuola was arraigned before her on a one-count charge of stealing a five-month old girl, Murikat.
Makanjuola, 29 was alleged to have gone to where the baby was sleeping and stole her while the mother was attending to customers.
After the theft, he was heading towards Ajao Estate area when he was apprehended by a vigilance group in the area.
The incident happened at Boulas Market in Isolo, Lagos where the baby’s mother, Mrs. Yemisi Ibrahim was selling her wares.
The motive behind Makanjuola’s action was not yet clear but the baby’s mother claimed that he wanted to use her baby for money making rituals.
P.M.NEWS gathred that the accused went to the market at Pako Bus Stop, Oke-Afa, Isolo and stole the baby. He was running away when the girl’s mother started looking for her.
This caused commotion in the market as every shop was searched but the little girl was not found.
It was in the midst of the confusion that members of a vigilance team brought Makanjuola to the market along with the baby.
The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested and charged to court for stealing, an offence punishable under Section 371 of the Criminal Code, Cap.38, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2004.
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Solebo granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The matter has been adjourned till 16 May, 2011.
