The Police in Ebonyi State, on Thursday, arraigned one Uzoamaka Aleke for her alleged involvement in child stealing and conspiracy. She admitted the act and was promptly sent to prison after sentencing.

The suspect was alleged to have stolen two children, namely, 4-year-old boy Thaddues Nwonu, and 5-year-old female, Chinaza Nwonu.

Both siblings were allegedly stolen by the suspect, at Iga-Ishieke community, in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, on April 7, 2019.

She was arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Abakaliki, on Tuesday, on two counts bothering on child stealing and conspiracy.

The Police Prosecutor, Eze Mathias, told the court that the offences were punishable under section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and sections 33(1) 3 of Ebonyi State Child Right and Related Matters Law, 2010.

It was gathered that the suspect was yet to provide the two kids, as of the time of filling this report and her accomplice, one Mrs Mgbada, had also been on the run.

The charge reads: “That you Uzoamaka Aleke ‘f’ and others now at large on the 7th day of April, 2019, at Iga Ishieke, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit, child stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

“That you Uzoamaka Aleke ‘f’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully steal one Thadius Nwonu ‘m’, aged 4yrs and Chinaza Nwonu ‘f’, aged 5yrs, without the consent of their parents and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 33(1) contrary to section (3) of Ebonyi State Child Right and Related Matters Law, 2010.”

The accused pleaded guilty to both the first and second counts and asked that the court grant her mercy.

But the Chief Magistrate, Nnenna Onuoha, said the suspect committed grievous offence against humanity and sentenced her to four years imprisonment, with hard labour, without an option of fine.

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