One Uzoamaka Aleke, was handed down a four years prison term with hard labour, for stealing two siblings in Ebonyi state.
The matter was presided over by the Chief Magistrate, Nnenna Onuoha, on Thursday December 19.
It was gathered that the suspects were yet to provide the two kids, as at the time of filling this report.
The convict, was arraigned before an Abakaliki Magistrate Court, sitting in Abakaliki, on two count charges of Child Stealing and Conspiracy.
She was accused of stealing the two siblings identified as 4year-old Thadius Nwonu, male, and 5year-old Chinaza Nwonu, female.
The incident happened at Iga-Ishieke community, in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, on April 7, 2019.
The case was between Aleke and Ebonyi state police, while the second defendant, Mrs Mgbada, was still at large at the time of the ruling.
According to Eze Mathias, the Police Prosecutor, the offences were punishable under section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and sections 33(1) 3 of Ebonyi State Child Right and Related Matters Law, 2010.
The charge sheet reads: “That you Uzoamaka Aleke ‘f’ and others now at large on the 7th day of April, 2019, at Iga Ishieke, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit, Child Stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you Uzoamaka Aleke ‘f’and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully steal one Thadius Nwonu ‘m’, aged 4yrs and Chinaza Nwonu ‘f’, aged 5yrs, without the consent of their parents and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 33(1) contrary to section (3) of Ebonyi State Child Right and Related Matters Law, 2010.”
Aleke who pleaded guilty to the charges against her before the ruling, prayed court to pardon and grant her mercy.
In her verdict, Magistrate Onuoha, ruled that the suspect committed grievous offence against humanity and have been found guilty.
She pronounced Aleke’s punishment of four years imprisonment, with hard labour, without an option of fine.
