27th March, 2013
A 28-year old woman, Mrs Kelechi Amadi who allegedly stole a baby, has been arrested by the police in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
Kelechi was arrested by the police at about 10p.m. at Itoga road Badagry, Lagos with a stolen three-month old baby boy, Chidera Iwuegbu.
The new baby belongs to one of her neighbours, Mrs. Rose Iwuegbu whom she had earlier congratulated for successful delivery. But unknown to the nursing mother, Kelechi was planning to steal the baby and sell him.
According to the baby’s mother, Kelechi targeted her one night when she went to take her bath. She went into the room and took the baby from the bed and left.
After her bath Rose started looking for her baby and raised an alarm. While she was crying, one of their neighbours who saw Kelechi carrying a baby that night told the nursing mother what had happened.
The residents went after Kelechi and eventually met her in her house and forced her to release the baby which she had arranged to sell that night. The police were contacted and Kelechi was arrested that night.
P.M.NEWS also gathered that the arrest of Kelechi was a big relief for the residents who had been suspecting her movement.
Kelechi now in prison custody is from Enugu State. She is married and had two kids before she separated from her husband.
The police at Badagary division who arrested her immediately transferred the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
During interogation she confessed to the police that she actually stole the baby to sell to an undisclosed person who is also a woman.
She added that she was introduced into the business by her friend four years ago, after her own business collapsed.
Kelechi was charged with conspiracy and child theft at Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Lagos under the Criminal Code.
When she was arraigned in court, she pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Ajibade granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with one responsible surety in like sum.
However, she was remanded in prison custody at Ikoyi pending when she will fulfil her bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 4 April, 2013.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe