Woman docked for kidnapping, selling minor

The police have arraigned 48-year-old Akwaja Adaeze in a Wuse Zone 6 Magistrate Court in Abuja for allegedly kidnapping a minor and selling him for N650, 000.

The defendant, who is a trader and resides in Imo, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping proffered against her.

The prosecutor, Mr. Fidelis Egwube, told the court that the police command in Imo arrested one Priscilia Egole with a child suspected to have been abducted.

Egwube said during police investigations it was discovered that Adaeze kidnapped the minor along the Zuba-Suleja Road in Abuja.

He added that Adaeze allegedly took the minor to Imo without the consent of his parents and sold him to Egole for N650, 000.

Egwube also said the police had released the victim to his parents after investigation.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 97 and 273 of the Penal Code.

Mr. Jeojima Thompson, counsel to the defendant, thereafter, filed an oral application seeking the court to admit his client to bail.

Thompson said the alleged offences were bailable, adding that his client would always be available for trial.

“I assure the court that the defendant will not jump bail if admitted,’’ he said.

The Magistrate, Ahmad Ndajiwo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ndajiwo said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and he adjourned the case to November 13, for hearing. (NAN)