An Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court in Ebonyi State has sentenced a 28-year-old woman, Onwe Chinenye to two months community service for stealing a baby.
Chinenye, in a suit marked MAB/577c/2024, was said to have taken the baby from where he was sleeping in their house at Ohagelode village Umuoghara community in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state on September 23, 2024.
Having taken the boy away from the parents without their consent, she took him to her community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area where residents of popular Okwor Ngbo market who know her started interrogating her.
Not comfortable with her explanation, they raised alarm and she was apprehended and further interrogated.
The Police recently arraigned Chinenye and slammed her with the offence of theft of the baby.
During the matter, Onwe Chinenye pleaded guilty as charged and asked for forgiveness while attributing the offence as handiwork of satan.
The Police Prosecutor, Ezeh Chinagorom noted that the offense is punishable under Section 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State Child Rights Act and related matters Law 2010.
“That you Onwe Chinenye on 23rd day of September 2024 at Ohagelode Umuoghara in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State in the jurisdiction of this honourable court did unlawfully make away with one Ngwuta Chiemeria, male, aged two months old without consent of his parents and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State Child Rights Act and related matters Law 2010,” the charge read.
The police said the stolen baby was recovered.
Consequently, the trial Magistrate Lynda Ogodo found the defendant guilty as charged and convicted her.
Ogodo ordered the defendant to work as community servant by sweeping Okwor Ngbo market square, clear drainages, and clear nearby grasses among others for two months.
The magistrate commended actions of Ohaukwu residents for raising alarm when they observed a usual situation in their vicinity.
