MICHAEL AKINOLA
Two suspected members of a human trafficking syndicate, Francis Thankgod, 33 and Grace Francis, 28, have been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing two under aged children along the road in Lagos State .
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects were arrested on 8th January and 17th ‘February, 2025, along Gberigbe Road in Ikorodu, Lagos, after they enticed a 3-year old girl, Wuraola Memunat Jamiu and another girl, Oyebode Deborah,7 and tried taking them to an unknown place.
However, they ran out of luck as the residents, who suspected their movement on the road, accosted them for interrogation and they were unable to give satisfactory responses.
The Police were contacted and the victims were rescued. The suspects were arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the Lagos State Command for interrogation over their conduct.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found them culpable and charged them before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Francis Thankgod ‘m’ and one Grace Francis f, on the 8th day of January 2025, at about 0720hours, along Gberigbe Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, under the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: child stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II: “That you, Francis Thankgod ‘m’ and one Grace Francis f on the 8th day of January 2025, at about 0720hours, along Gberigbe road, Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did entice and take one Wuraola Memunat Jamiu ‘f 3years old to an unknown destination and deprived her from her parents and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 277(1)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:” That you, Francis Thankgod ‘m’ and one Grace Francis the 17th day of February 2025, at about 0815hours, along Gberigbe road, Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did entice and take one Oyebode Deborah ‘f’ 7years old to an unknown destination and deprived her from her parents and thereby committed an offence punishable Section 277(1)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Olatunde Kehinde, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. F.M.Kayode-Alamu, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.