A 48-year-old nurse, Francisca Ihejirika, was on Thursday remanded in custody by a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly stealing and selling new born twins.
The Magistrate, Mrs Felicia Ikyegh, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Nigerian Prison in Makurdi and adjourned the matter till August 10 for further mention.
Ihejirika of Nkarahia, Isokpo Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State, is facing charges bordering on criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.
The prosecutor, Inspector James Dzungwe, told the court that the case was reported at the Police CID, Makurdi via a letter dated May 18, 2016.
Dzungwe said that one Chinasa Okereke of N0. 20, College Crescent, Makurdi reported through the letter that her twins were stolen from her by the accused.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant said that she gave birth to twins, boy and girl at Isokpo on April 4.
The complaint alleged that the babies were forcefully seized from her and sold to unknown person(s) and she was brought to Makurdi in an unconscious state.
The prosecutor said that investigation revealed that the accused conspired with others who are now at large to commit the offences, as she voluntarily confessed to the commission of the crime.
He said that the twins were recovered during investigation and taken to an orphanage in Makurdi, pending the determination of the case.
Dzungwe said that the offences are punishable under Sections 97 and 274 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.
When the case came up for mention, the accused did not take plea as the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.
