Court remands drivers charged with child theft, defilement

A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded two drivers who allegedly stole two children and defiled another.

The defendants – Aremu Akinlabi; 38, and Bakau Ajibade 45 – were remanded by Chief Magistrate K.B. Ayeye.

Akinlabi and Ajibade, residents of Ketu area of Lagos, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, child stealing, breach of the peace and defilement.

The Prosecutor, SP Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the defendants committed the offences in April 2016 on Martins Street, Ketu, Lagos.

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According to him, the defendants stole a four-year-old boy, Michael Sunday, and a three-year-old girl, Zakari Kazimu.

Nurudeen alleged that the first defendant,  Akinlabi,  also defiled a 16-year-old relative of Kazimu (name withheld).

He submitted that the relative gave out Kazimu and Sunday – her neighbour ’s son –  to the defendants for sale.

“My lord, she took the two children and handed them over to the defendants because she was promised N15,000 as payment for them.

“These children have been missing for three years now.  She just confessed to selling them; we are still investigating their whereabouts,” he said.

Ayeye ordered that the defendants should be kept at the Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, pending advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

She adjourned the case until June 5 for a mention.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 227, 168 (d), 137 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).