The Police on Thursday arraigned four persons– Pelumi Adetoro; Juli Joseph as well as Akwarandu Goodnews and his wife, Gloria, in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged illegal child adoption.
The accused persons are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and illegal adoption.
Adetoro, 23, fashion designer; Joseph, 33, trader; Goodnews, 52, businessman and wife, Gloria 43, trader, however, all pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 15 at Abule-Egba, Lagos.
Ayorinde alleged that Adetoro had obtained N100, 000 from Goodnews on the false pretext that she would hand over her baby to him after delivering.
He told the court that Goodnews unlawfully took Adetoro’s one- month-old baby with intent to abduct him.
“During Adetoro’s pregnancy, she told Joseph that she will throw her baby away after birth because he denied impregnating her.
“Joseph had told this to his neighbour, Goodnews, and his wife, who were childless and in need of a child.
“Joseph introduced Adetoro to the Goodnews and they begged her not to abandon the baby after giving birth and asked that the baby be given to them for adoption.
“The Goodnews paid for the ante-natal care and other bills after Adetoro delivered the baby and she handed over the baby to the couple for adoption.
“She also requested for N100, 000 to enable her get an accommodation which was given to her by the Goodnews,’’ he said.
The prosecutor said that the Goodnews got the service of a lawyer who brought some documents for both parties to fill and sign in order to legalise the adoption of the baby.
“After some days, Adetoro came to the Goodnews asking them to give her back her baby, resulting in disagreement between the parties.
“The case was reported by Adetoro at the police station and all parties involved were arrested,’’ Ayorinde said.
The offences contravened Sections 141, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 attracts 15 years jail term for offenders.
The Magistrate, Mrs B.O Osunsanmi, granted each of the accused N500, 000 bail with two sureties each sum.
Osunsanmi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate adjourned the case till July 25 for mention