A 46-year-old man, Francis Onwe, has been arraigned before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court in Ebonyi State for allegedly stealing a baby and defrauding a woman who wanted to adopt.
According to information obtained by Diaspora Digital Media, police prosecutors said Onwe obtained ₦1.6 million from Josephine Ugochukwu under the pretense of helping her adopt a baby boy.
He was charged with conspiracy, fraud, and stealing.
The accused, whose address was not disclosed, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecution counsel Emmanuel Alo told the court that the crime happened on October 8 at Nsukka Street, Abakaliki.
According to Alo, Onwe tricked Ugochukwu into paying the money but had no genuine intention or legal means to facilitate any adoption.
Shockingly, investigators discovered that Onwe allegedly stole his wife’s eight-day-old baby to complete the fake adoption deal. His wife, Philomena Iroko, reportedly raised an alarm after realizing her newborn was missing.
She immediately reported the incident to the police, leading to Onwe’s arrest.
The prosecution said the offences violated Sections 419 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ebonyi State, 2009, and Section 33(3) of the Child Rights Law of Ebonyi State, 2010.
Chief Magistrate Chinedu Agama ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional facility until bail is considered. The case was adjourned to November 19 for hearing.