Borno prosecutes four women for selling newborn babies for N100,000

The Borno State government yesterday prosecuted Ngozi Nwokocha and three other female suspects for alleged child trafficking at the state’s High Court No. 13, in Maiduguri.

The offences, according to the court registrar, Bilyaminu Hassan, were allegedly committed at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) and Galadima areas of Maiduguri metropolis on January 15, 2016, August 20, 2016 and August 30, 2016.

Hassan said that Kaltime Mohammed, Aisha Bukar and Zara Haruna allegedly sold baby boys and girls to Ngozi Nwokocha at the price of N100,000 each. He said the offence is contrary to 1994 Borno State Law of section 278 and 279 and punishable under the penal code.

“The main suspect, Nwokocha and three female suspects committed an immoral offence and were brought before Justice Fadawu Umaru for exchanging newly born babies at the price of N100,000 each on various dates in Maiduguri,” said Hassan.

The four suspects, however, denied committing the act. Consequently, the prosecuting lawyer, who doubles as the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan, said considering the gravity of the alleged offences, he asked that the case be adjourned to enable him present nine witnesses before the court.

Justice Umaru granted the request and adjourned the case to next week Monday, January 9, 2017 for further hearing.