Posted by By Cypriacus Izuekwe on
A mild drama ensued at the Ejigbo Magistrate's Court, as a woman suspected to be mentally imbalanced was arraigned for kidnapping a 10-year-old girl.
A mild drama ensued at the Ejigbo Magistrate's Court, as a woman suspected to be mentally imbalanced was arraigned for kidnapping a 10-year-old girl.
The woman, Roseline Yemisi Babawumi, 44, of 48, Fatai Akinyemi Street, Ara Junction, Egan, Lagos, was charged to court for attempting to kidnap Sheriff Adebowale, of 1, Baba Dada Street, Egan, Lagos.
Roseline allegedly committed the crime on 11 August, at her house when the little girl was sent on an errand by her parents.
P.M.News gathered that the woman kept the girl with her until she was discovered by the residents who organised a search party that located the girl in her custody.
The parents of the girl immediately contacted the police who rescued the girl and arrested the woman. After interrogation by the police, she was charged to court for kidnapping.
The offence, according to the police, is contrary to Section 508 and punishable under Section 509 of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.
The drama started in the court room when the woman was docked and the charge against her read. Instead of making a plea, she started singing to the amusement of those present in court.
Her action made the presiding magistrate, Mr. A. O. Ajibade, to ask the I.P.O whether the defendant behaved in that manner at the police station. The I.P.O. replied in the negative and explained that she wrote her statement by herself.
Following this, the court ordered that she should be remanded in prison custody, pending when she would be able to answer the allegations levelled against her.
The matter was adjourned till 25 August, 2008 for further mentioning.