A Nigerian citizen called Miracle Kalu who resides in Olu situated in Imo state has been taken into police custody for selling her newborn baby to a couple who has been trying to get a baby for a couple of years.
This case was reported, after CP Hakeem Odumosu ” Commissioner of Police” of Lagos State Police Command, unearthed the hideout of the child’s mother in Olu during their investigations.
He stated that, the couple ” Patrick Mbama, 41, and Ogechi Chinonso Ekwebele, 30″ who was in possession of this newborn child, was grabbed by the police on April 26, 2020 at Anthony Oke road amid coronavirus lockdown in Nigeria. After suspecting them of having this baby who does not belong to them, they were arrested together with all other passengers that were in the trosky ” Toyota Sienna bus”.
Upon further interrogation to rule out the mother and full identity of this child, the acclaimed couple revealed that, the baby was to be taken to a childless couple who was later arrested.
According to the 20 years old orphan, she sold her baby for N130,000 due to hardship and her inability to take care of her own child.
After reaching out to the mother of the child, she accepted that she had violated the law and further gave her reason for her actions.
“I knew I could not take care of the baby because I am not working. I am an orphan. I was forced out of school when I was in Junior Secondary School 2 because there was no money to continue.”
“I was impregnated by a trader in Orlu. But when I formed him, he said I should terminate it, that he was not ready to face such responsibilities. He abandoned me.”
“On the day I was going to terminate the pregnancy, the tricyclist that conveyed me advised me against such action. He told me he could get someone that would help me cater for the baby.”
“After delivery, I gave the baby to this lady.”.
“You will not understand why I took the decision. I could barely feed myself let alone an additional mouth. Besides, my sister, who accommodated me also does not have a job. The baby would have died of hunger if I didn’t do what I did. The money I collected was used to buy medicine and for upkeep.”
she stated
According to the statement of the 40 years old buyer named Mrs. Cecelia Okafor, she divulged that she paid the go-between an amount of N150,000 for the child because she has been barren for 15 years and has no child to call her own.
“I have been barren for 15 years. I paid the amount because I was in dire need of a baby to call my own. I saw this as an opportunity to experience how it feels like being a mother and I also wanted to take care of the baby.”
Cecelia Added
All arrested individuals are in police custody, they are still investigating their case and each of them would face the court according to the law.