MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 25-year old woman, Odunayo Odunlade, has been arrested and charged for allegedly sneaking into a nursing mother’s room and stealing 2-month old baby in Oyo State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 24th July, 2025, at the Lascap-Oniyanrin area of the city.
The nursing mother was said to have laid the baby to sleep in order to do other chores and the suspect sneaked into her room and stole the baby.
The suspect, Odunlade, was later arrested and arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan on a one-count charge of child theft under the Criminal law of the State.
The prosecutor, Inspector Oluseye Akinola, told the Court that the defendant unlawfully took the baby from a bedroom where the child’s mother had laid him to sleep and went out to other domestic works.
When the mother returned to her room and did not find the baby, she raised alarm and reported the matter at the Mokola Police Division. The Police launched an immediate investigation and searching for the baby.
The efforts of the Police paid off as they were able to track down and apprehend the defendant at an undisclosed location several days later and rescued the baby as well.
The prosecutor noted that the alleged offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, Odunlade pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.O. Latunji, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.
However, Odunlade was unable to meet the bail conditions and was ordered to remain in the Agodi Correctional Center pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till 21st October, 2025, for trial.