Ruth Semilore
A 42-year-old popular food seller in Akure, Happiness Sunday, has been remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre by an Akure Family Magistrates’ Court, following her arraignment over her alleged involvement in the disappearance of a four-year-old child, Jensita, in her custody.
The defendant, who is the owner of Chioma Restaurants in Akure metropolis, was arraigned alongside the mother of the missing child, Nneka Onah, 23, on two counts of child stealing.
Police prosecutor, Martins Olowofeso informed the court that the alleged offence was committed on February 7, 2025, along Hospital Road, in Akure.
Olowofeso alleged that the defendants stole a four-year-old girl, Jensita Sunday.
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It was learnt that the mother of the missing child released her daughter to the second defendant, who is her boss, after persistent requests from her to take custody of her, with a promise to take good care of her.
After two weeks of the child’s stay with the woman, Happiness reportedly approached the father of the child, Ifeanyi, at his place of work, that he should produce her daughter, with the claim that he had come to pick up the child without her consent.
The offence, according to the charge, contravened Section 371 of Criminal Code Law, 2006.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants to a correctional centre pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Lawyer to the first defendant, Alex Olademehin told the court to grant his client bail to enable her have access to medical care, adding that she had been in police detention for two weeks.
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Olademehin said the second defendant had been walking freely, opening her shop without being remorseful before her appearance in court.
Magistrate B.A. Alphonso ordered the remand of Happiness at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, while the mother of the missing child, who has been in police detention for necessary medical attention and after the prison.
The magistrate ordered that the case file be forwarded to the police for proper investigation.
The case was adjourned till March 25, 2025, for mention.
Sequel to the order of the court, It was gathered that the police had on Thursday, ordered the closure of the restaurant and arrested all the workers.
