The trial in a case of alleged child abduction brought against two women was postponed by an FCT High Court in Maitama on Tuesday until April 27.
Stella Ekwerekwu, 43, and Nkechi Ogbunankwo, 40, were accused by the police of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.
Following an application by Prosecution Counsel Simon Lough, SAN for his inability to bring a witness to court, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned for trial.
Lough had asked for a delay in the proceedings, citing the absence of a subpoenaed witness.
Udoka Odiamma, the defence attorney, objected, telling the court that the defendant is from another country, the named witness was not listed, and other witnesses listed in the proof of evidence should also appear in court.
On the next postponed date, Justice Kekemeke requested that the prosecution bring its witness.
”I shall give you this one more adjournment the matter is adjourned until April 27 for the continuation of trial.”
The prosecution earlier told the court that sometime in October 2019, the defendants conspired and abducted an eight-month-old baby somewhere in Abuja.
The police alleged thatthe first defendant, took the child to her Dr Ekwerekwu, her husband, on his sick bed.
The police said Dr Ekwerekwu, who later passed on, rejected paternity of the child that Stella brought for him.
The police said this is contrary to provisions of Sections 27(1)(2)(b) of the Child’s Right Act, 2003 which states:
”No person shall remove or take a child out of the custody or protection of his father or mother, guardian or such other person having lawful care or charge of the child against the will of the father, mother, guardian or other person.
” A person who contravenes the provisions of Subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction.
”Where here the child is unlawfully removed or taken out of the state in which the father, mother, guardian or such other person who has lawful care of the child is ordinarily resident, to imprisonment for a term of 10 years.”
They defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)