Freed Pregnant Woman Prefers Jail Term, Begs Judge

A freed pregnant suspect, Blessing Clifford insisted yesterday at Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court that she wanted to stay at Kirikiri Prison where she hopes to deliver her baby.

She had earlier begged the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M. B. Folami to send her to Kirikiri Prison, Apapa, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

When she pleaded with the court to jail her for the offence she admitted committing, it was presumed that something must be wrong until yesterday when she opened up.

Blessing, who is now 6 months pregnant, said she was impregnated by her former boyfriend who abandoned her to her fate.

She said since she became pregnant and her boyfriend abandoned her, life has become unbearable for her and the unborn baby.

The Delta State-born woman disclosed that she was not doing anything to earn a living and things got worse when she became pregnant and her lover abandoned her.

The 35 year-old woman, who was arraigned in court for assaulting a housewife, told the court that she preferred to be in custody since she has no place to live so that she can be taken care of when she delivers her baby.

She was charged to court for allegedly assaulting her neighbour, Mrs. Rashidat Afolabi.

Blessing was accused of using a pestle to break Rashidat’s head.

The incident happened at 13, New World Street, Ijegun, on the outskirts of Lagos.

When the charge was read to her, she pleaded guilty and showed no remorse for her action. When the court observed that she did not show any remorse, she was told that her action could land her in jail. She said she didn’t mind going to jail.

When the matter came up yesterday, she was unrepentant.

The court, having considered her condition, struck out the matter and discharged her.

Blessing felt dejected as she left the court premises.

When P.M.NEWS contacted her on her next move, she said she was confused about where to go.

—Cyriacus Izuekwe