Pregnant Fake Cancer Victim Nabbed

A pregnant housewife who pretended to be suffering from breast cancer, Mary Sunday, has been arrested by the police in Ajegunle and arraigned before the Apapa Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. The offence is punishable under Section 249 of the Criminal Code, 2003.

The police accused her of deceiving members of the public to part with their money by presenting herself as a breast cancer victim.

In her statement to the police, she allegedly confessed that she made between five and seven thousand naira daily through begging.

The 35-year old mother of four who is six months pregnant was caught by the police at Mile 2 Motor Park, Apapa, Lagos where she laid her mat and exposed her breasts and stomach to attract sympathy from the public while soliciting financial assistance to treat the fake ailment. The police disclosed that she was arrested following a tip off from members of the public.

During interrogation, she allegedly confessed that she was not inflicted with breast cancer as she claimed, adding that she was pretending in order to get money to eat because her husband could not feed her.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. O.I. Adelaja, granted her bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety.

The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Unawunwa urged the court to give the matter accelerated hearing so as to bring the defendant to book to serve as a deterrent to others in her shoes . The matter has been adjourned till 15 June, 2011 for trial.

—Cyriacus Izuekwe