Two Sexagenarians Arraigned For Allegedly Stealing Four-month-old Baby In Osun

An Osogbo Magistrate's Court has arraigned two women for allegedly stealing a four-month-old baby.

The accused persons are; a 66-year-old woman, Adebisi Balogun, and Awoniyi Adegboye, 60.

The duo allegedly committed the offence sometime in April 2021 in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The prosecutor, Kayode Adeoye, told the court that Balogun conspired with Adegboye to commit the offence.

He added that Balogun, on August 26, 2021, in the Ayetoro area was caught with a four-month-old child.

The offence committed contravened sections 516, 317(1)(7) and 249 (D) of Criminal Code CAP 34 Vol. Il Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, but Balogun pleaded guilty to charges of child stealing and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The defense counsels, Okobe Najite and M. Akinwande prayed the court to admit their clients to bail in most liberal terms, saying they would not jump bail if granted.

However, the prosecutor opposed the application on the ground that the accused persons are liable to jump bail, saying the child recovered from them is at the orphanage.

In her ruling, Ruling on the application, presiding Magistrate, Mrs O. Adaramola denied the application and ordered the remand of the accused persons in Ilesa correctional facility.

She adjourned the case till September 21 and 22, 2021 for an accelerated hearing.