MICHAEL AKINOLA
A woman, Gloria Daniel, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly collecting 4 children as collateral over inability of their parents to pay debt.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that she has been arrested and charged before the Court for placing the children under servitude as a pledge for debt.
The incident happened at Oyinlola Street, Dopemu area of Lagos.
The victims were David Daniel ‘m’ 2, Glory Daniel ‘f ,4, Wisdom ‘m’ 4, Glory Asuquo ‘f 12 and Godwin ‘m’ 4years old.
According to the Police, the victims parents obtained certain amount of money as loan and had no collateral for the loan. The parents deposited their children as collateral and the woman accepted to keep the victims pending when their parents will pay their debt.
However, the information leaked and the matter was reported to the Police at Gender Section of the State Command. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained her for interrogation.
After interrogation, the Police found her culpable and charged her before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence that attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Gloria Daniel ‘f between the year 2022 to 2023, at Oyinlola Street, Dopemu – Lagos, did possess, trade or transfer as slave and placed in servitude as a pledge for debt of (1) David Daniel ‘m’ 2years old (2) Glory Daniel ‘f 4years old (3) Wisdom ‘m’ 4years old (4) Glory Asuquo ‘f 12years old and (5) Godwin ‘m’ 4years old and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 276 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Gloria Daniel ‘f, between the period of 2020 2023, at Oyinlola Street, Dopemu Lagos, did receive and harbour (1) David Daniel ‘m’ 2years old (2) Glory Daniel ‘f 4years old (3) Wisdom ‘m’ 4years old (4) Glory Asuquo ‘f 12years old and (5) Godwin ‘m’ 4years old, knowing them to have been inticed away and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 277 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since shs pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, granted her 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 till 14th January, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.