A six-month-old baby identified simply as Lifted who was allegedly stolen by a man named Charles Isiobor has been recovered by a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ajegunle, Apapa.
A five count charge bordering on stealing was brought against him in court by the police before a magistrate, Mrs. O.I. Adelaja.
The suspect, Isiobor who allegedly conspired with his fleeing accomplice to commit the crime was released on Monday, December 8, 2014 after the baby was reunited with his mother
It was learnt that the baby was stolen earlier in the year, precisely on January 4, 2014, while his mother, Rita Innocent, went out to buy something at the Iba area of Lagos state.
According to Punch, Isiobor’s brother had dated Innocent before leaving the country for abroad. She was said to have got pregnant during the period, resulting in Lifted’s birth.
Furthermore, Isiobor who said he committed the crime due to the wayward lifestyle of the baby’s mother had denied the knowledge of the child’s whereabouts until he was arrested.
The magistrate, after admitting him to bail, ordered that the baby be produced in the court before the adjourned date.
Part of the charges read, “That you, Charles Isiobor, of Olayemi Street, Iba New Site, and one other at large, on January 4, 2014, in the Apapa Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; stealing of a six-month-old child.
“That you, and one other now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal Lifted, the son of one Rita Innocent.
“That you, and one other at large, on the same date, time and place, did unlawfully refuse to disclose information concerning the whereabouts of the stolen baby belonging to Rita Innocent, which you actually know and thereby committed an offence punishable Under Section 98 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Isiobor was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety in like sum.
