Ebonyi: Court remands father for selling his baby for N1.6 million

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

A man in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, was on Wednesday remanded at the correctional facility in the capital city over alleged fraud, stealing, and selling his newborn (eight-day-old) baby boy without his wife’s consent.

Francis Onwe, 46, who was charged for conspiracy, fraud, and stealing, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.

The Prosecutor, Emmanuel Alo, Senior State Counsel, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on 8 October at Nsukka Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital.

Alo explained that the defendant committed felony to wit unlawful obtain[ing] and advance fee fraud.

“Onwe, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 33, Vol. 1 Law of Ebonyi, 2009.

“The defendant also did by means of deceit obtain[ed an] eight[h]-old baby boy without the consent of his mother, [Ms] Philomena Iroko, ‘f’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 33 (3) of Ebonyi Child Rights Law and Related Matters Law, 2010.

“That you, Onwe[,] did with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of N1.6 million from Josephine Ugochukwu, ‘f’ with the pretence that you will assist her in adopting a baby boy.

“You, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 419 of [the] Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009,” the Prosecutor explained.

Solomon Eguji, Defence Counsel, prayed the court for [the] bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Chinedu Agama, rejected the bail application and ordered [the] remand of the defendant.

Agama adjourned the matter until November 19.