The Police Command in Lagos State on Wednesday arraigned two women simply identified as Yinka Adeniyi and Taiwo Ajala before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for stealing a seven-year-old boy.
Both defendants pleaded innocence to the charges of conspiracy and child stealing.
The prosecution counsel, ASP Bisi Ogunleye, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on December 12, 2021, at Orile, Agege.
Mr Ogunleye said that the defendants were alleged to have stolen Michael Adebiyi, son of Hezekiah Adebiyi.
“The first defendant, who was the mother of the child, conspired with the second defendant to steal the boy from the complainant, who has lawful custody of him,” stated the prosecutor. “After investigation, it was discovered that the defendants were in possession of the missing child. The complainant reported the case, leading to the arrest of the defendants.”
According to Mr Ogunleye, the alleged offences violate sections 277 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 277 carries 14 years’ imprisonment for child stealing, while section 411 attracts two years for conspiracy.
Magistrate Ejiro Kubeinje gave the defendants bail of N500,000 each, with two sureties each as part of the bail conditions.
She said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos government.
She adjourned the case until March
16.