Police arraign two Pastors in court over theft of 2-year old girl

By Idebaneria Cynthia

The Lagos State Police Command, on Wednesday, arraigned  two Pastors, Dorothy Ekutosi, 51, and Asekameh Victor, 27, before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates ’ Court over adoption of  a two-year old girl in a market. The accused persons are, accordingly, standing trial a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

National Daily gathered that the Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on August 29 at the Abule Market Area of Ajao Estate in the state.

He said the accused persons conspired and stole the child in the market without the knowledge of the mother, who is a trader. “The duo were caught with the help of her mother’s neighbour in the market, who intercepted the child, while they were taking her away to an unknown destination,’’ the prosecutor said.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 287 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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The accused persons, however, pleaded “not guilty’’ to the charges.

Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing.

National Daily also gathered that  the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

Akanni said the sureties, who should be relations of the accused, should also show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case to Sept. 20, for mentioning.