A 45-year-old woman, Rayinat Bakare, was remanded in a correctional center by a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing a nine-year-old girl. Bakare, whose address was not provided, is charged with felony child stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A. B. Olagbegi-Adelabu, did not take Bakare’s plea and adjourned the case until May 16 for legal advice from the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Olawunmi Osibanjo, informed the court that Bakare committed the offence on March 14 at about 5:30 pm in the Allynson St. Area of Ikorodu. Bakare allegedly held the hand of the nine-year-old girl while she was crying on the road, prompting concerns from bystanders.
The mother of the girl, upon inquiry, denied any relation to the defendant, sparking further suspicion. The offence contravenes Section 277 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison if found guilty.
