MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 45-year old woman, Violet Ogbonnaya and her accomplice, Ajoku Chinonso, have been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing a new born baby inside the hospital.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 27th October, 2025 at about 0930am at Mother and Child Hospital, Ajah, Lagos, where they were said to have stolen the baby belonging to Joy Amadi.
According to the Police, the suspects went to the hospital in the morning and pretended to be patients who came to receive medical attention. In the process, they stole the baby and escaped.
However, the alleged theft was reported to the Police at Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB), Ikeja Command. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspects and detained them at the Command for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found them culpable and charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Violet Ogbonnaya ‘f’, Ajoku Chinonso ‘m’ and others now at large on the 27th October, 2025 at about 0930am at Mother and Child Hospital, Ajah, in the Lagos State magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Violet Ogbonnaya ‘f’, Ajoku Chinonso ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal a newborn baby boy from one Joy Amadi and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 277 (b) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, 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. M.O. Tanimola, granted them bail with two 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 at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.