By HeapNews
A 24-year-old unemployed woman, Ugochi Ugbawu, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka for allegedly stealing an 11-month-old baby boy.
The suspect, a native of Ebonyi State, faced a three-count charge of conspiracy, child stealing, and forceful separation of the baby from his family.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, the alleged crime took place on January 16 in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“That you, Ugochi Ugbawu, and others now at large conspired to fraudulently steal an 11-month-old baby boy and forcefully separate him from his family,” Okechukwu told the court.
She further stated that the offences violated Sections 495(a) and 321 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol. II Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, as amended, and Section 15(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2017.
Ugbawu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie granted the accused bail in the sum of N3 million with a surety in like sum.
The case was adjourned until May 28 for further hearing.