NAPTIP arraigns housewife for dipping hands of step son in hot water

THE National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned a 30-year-old housewife, Khadija Yahaya for allegedly dipping hands of a 2-year old boy, Abubakar Yahaya into boiling water thereby causing him serious harm.

A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole on Wednesday in Abuja, said the victim is her stepson to a woman.

The accused was slammed with a two – count charge and arraigned before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Bwari, Abuja presided over by Justice A. O. Musa.

It would be recalled that NAPTIP had arrested the woman said to be the second wife of the husband, Mr Yahaya following a tip-off from concerned Nigerians.

The charges read “That you Khadijat Yahaya (F) 30 years old of Block industry, opposite ECWA Church, Chukuku, Kuje Area Council, Abuja on or about the 12th of December, 2017, at Block Industry Opposite ECWA Church, Chukuku, Kuje Area Council, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Hounourable Court, used harmful liquid to wit boiling water (Hot) water on Abubakar Yahaya ‘m’ 2 years old of Block Industry, Opposite ECWA Church, Chukuku, Kuje Area Council Abuja by dipping his two hands and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 21 (1) of the Violence Against Persons Act 2015.

“That you Khadijat Yahaya (F) 30 years old, of Block Industry, Opposite ECWA Church, Chukuku, Kuje Area Council, Abuja, on or about 12th December, 2017, at Block Industry, Opposite ECWA Church, Chukuku, Kuje Area Council, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willful inflicted physical injury on Abubakar Yahaya ‘m’ 2 years old of Block Industry, Opposite ECWA Church, Chukuku, Kuje Area Council, Abuja by dipping his two hands inside boiling water which caused full thickness burn on his two hands and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(1) of the Violence Against Persons Act 2015”.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently granted bail in the surety of N500, 000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

Further hearing of the case was adjourned to 20th February 2018.