By Chidinma Imoeze
Abakaliki Magistrate court 4 has arraigned the couple identified as Blessing Nkeiruka Okpara and Chukwuma Ogbonna Sunday, who attempted to steal little Promise Njoku, by trying to trick her birth mother with a better life in Port Harcourt.
The case which is between the commissioner of police and the couple with charge No: MAB/511/C/2019, was a case of conspiracy and attempting to steal a fifteen month old baby an offence punishable under section 509 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33,Vol.1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
According to the charge against them, the couple attempted stealing 15 month old baby from her mother identified as Chioma Njoku, without the consent of her guardian or relations.
Recall, this newspaper in its previous edition, published the story of a couple who was arrested by the youths of Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State for alleging attempting to steal a child in Ndiagu Ezenmayi village.
According to testimony of the 15months old mother, the couple allegedly parade themselves as trying to help the young single mother to get a better life outside the State.
It was scooped that their major target was the little child, but luck ran on them when they were apprehended by the youths of the community.
According to our previous report, Chioma, Promises’ mother, narrated that the woman first approached her where she went to fetch water at Nwigbo in Agbebor Isu, and told her to come to her place after fetching water that she wanted to discuss something with her.
Chioma who is from Agbabor Isu, said she went to meet the lady after fetching water, “And on getting there, she told me she is a nurse and wanted to help me by taking me to Port Harcourt where I would learn how to sell drugs.
“I told her I don’t want to learn any trade that I want to go to school. She said that is good, she will train me in nursing school for three years if I accept to give my baby to motherless babies home and they will give me money which I would use to take care of myself”.
“I told her I wouldn’t do such thing. She asked whether I’m pregnant and I said no, she checked me and said even if I’m pregnant she would give me drugs that will flush it out.
“After that day, I went back home, the next day her husband came and said his wife was calling me and I went, the woman still asked me again if I have changed my mind, but I told her no.
“This was happening last week, so yesterday (Monday), her husband came on bike to our compound and told me to go and prepare so that we will leave for Port Harcourt, and I told him I do not want to go, then the man called the wife on phone and gave me the phone and I still told her I’m not going with them.
“The bike man now went back and brought the lady to our house. She told me to get prepared while she dresses up my baby. My sisters were telling me not to go with her but I later took my bath and she told me not to come along with my baby’s cloths that she will buy it on our way.
“So we left, on getting to Eke market, one of my sisters ran to us and told me that my uncle was calling me, I told her to tell my uncle that I’m not coming, but shortly after, I told the aunty that I want to go and answer my uncle but she said I shouldn’t go anywhere, but I insisted.
“She told her husband to follow me, but on the way, he said he would no longer go with me, one of my brothers now came out and asked the man what he wants, he said he should know him because he is from the village and wouldn’t do anything bad. That was how I went home”, she narrated.
Speaking with Chioma’s uncle, Mr. Sunday Ozoemena, he told our correspondent that on Tuesday morning, someone came to his place and narrated what happened between his sister and the syndicate. “I now asked them where they are living, they said Ndiagu Ezenmayi. I went to the place and on getting there, I saw the woman. I told her I was looking for someone named Chukwu that is the husband; she said he wasn’t at home. I asked her why they came to pick my sister without our consent, she couldn’t say anything. I asked her three more questions, she didn’t say anything meaningful. So I called the youths on phone to come and assist us, that was how they were brought to the council”, he added.
On his part, the woman simply identified as Mrs. Chukwu, denied ever attempting to steal Chioma’s baby.
She said she is from Imo state while her husband is from Akwa Ibom. Asked what they were doing in Ebonyi state, she couldn’t explain.
