Court remands man in prison over alleged theft of two-month-old baby

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

A Magistrates Court sitting in Ovom, Yenagoa on Tuesday remanded a 30-year-old man, Kingsley Solomon to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Okaka for allegedly stealing a two-month-old baby at Azikoro, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The remand order was given by Sarah B.I. Avoh, Chief Magistrate II, Court 15.

The Bayelsa Police State Command, following a report from an NGO, Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy foundation, (ENWAF) arrested Solomon who allegedly assaulted the mother of the baby.

Solomon, however, pleaded not guilty to the two counts charges of assault and child theft.

The charge stated that Solomon on June 23 2023, at IYC Azikoro Town, did give one Joy Lucky fast blow on the left eye side with the intend to steal her child and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 282 of the criminal Code Law, Cap C14, laws of Bayelsa State 2006.

The second charge alleged that Solomon on June 24, 2023 at IYC Azikoro Town in the Yenagoa, did steal one baby success Alfred aged two months, baby of Joy Lucky and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 298 (a) of criminal Code law a Cap C14, laws of Bayelsa State 2006.

According to the Police First Information report filed before the court, Solomon claimed to have slept with the mother of the baby who was said be in the early stages of pregnancy at a brothel, and hence laying claim to the baby.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until July 18, 2023 for trial.