By Nana Musa
Abuja – The Police on Monday arraigned 48-years-old Akwaja Adaeze, in Wuse Zone 6 Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, for allegedly kidnapping a minor and selling him off for N650,000.
The defendant, who is a trader and resides in Imo, had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping leveled against her.
The prosecutor, Mr Fedelix Egwube, told the court that the Police Command in Imo had arrested one Pricilia Egole with a child suspected to have been abducted.
Egwube said that during police investigations it was revealed that Adaeze kidnapped the minor along Zuba-Suleja Road in Abuja.
He added that Adaeze allegedly took the minor to Imo without the consent of his parents and sold him to Egole for N650,000.
Egwube also said that the police has released the victim to the parents after appropriate investigation.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 97 and 273 of the Penal Code.
Mr Jeojima Thompson, Counsel to the defendant, thereafter, filed an oral application seeking the court to admit his client to bail.
Thompson said the alleged offences were bailable, adding that his client would always be available to stand justice.
“I assure the court that the defendant would not jump bail if admitted,’’ he said.
The Magistrate, Ahmad Ndajiwo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ndajiwo said the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction and he adjourned the case until Nov. 13 for hearing.
