The police on Wednesday, charged a 46-year-old man, Francis Onwe, before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court in Ebonyi State, for allegedly stealing a baby and obtaining money by fraud.

Onwe, whose address was not mentioned, is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by fraud and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor and senior counsel, Emmanuel Alo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 8, at Nsuka street in Abakaliki.

He alleged that the defendant obtained the sum of N1.6 million from a complainant, one Josephine Ugochukwu, with a promise to help her facilitate the adoption of a baby boy.

The defendant was alleged to have deceived his wife, one Philomena Iroko, and had stolen her eight-day-old baby boy without her consent, to sell the baby.

According to the prosecutor, the wife raised the alarm on discovering the actions of the defendant and reported the matter to the police.

The defendant was consequently arrested by the police.

Meanwhile, the prosecution also alleged that the defendant obtained the said N1.6 million from Ugochukwu by fraud, knowing he could not secure adoption of a baby.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 419, and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ebonyi State, 2009.

It also contravenes the provision of section 33 (3) of Child Rights Law of Ebonyi State, 2010.

The Chief Magistrate, Chinedu Agama, ordered a remand of the defendant at the correctional service pending bail.

He adjourned the case until November 19, for bail.

(NAN)