A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abakaliki has remanded a couple, Bernard Inya, 42, and Chinyere Inya, 34, at the Abakaliki Prisons over the alleged murder of one Sylvia Nwachi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the couple were arraigned along with their relative, Ugonma Egwu, 38, while the couple’s two-month old baby cried throughout the court session.
The Chief Prosecutor, Mr Obeng Erong, told the court that the accused committed the offence on October 26.
“They are charged on a two-count charge of murder punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009,” Erong said.
The trial Magistrate, Nnachi Olughu, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody while the court processes be forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for appropriate legal advice.
Olughu adjourned the matter to January 20 2017, for further hearing.
NAN reports that the baby’s cries distracted the proceedings of the court while the mother was inside the dock.
Family sources told NAN that the baby had not received adequate motherly care from the mother due to her incarceration.
Chinyere, who cried all through the proceeding, prayed that she should be granted bail for the sake of her baby.
The magistrate, however, ignored the plea.
In a related development, a 37-year-old woman, Blessing Prince (alias Mummy B), has been arraigned at Federal High Court, Abakaliki, for selling a newborn baby for N100,000.
NAN reports that the baby belongs to a 20-year-old man, Ifeanyichukwu Elem.
The accused was re-arrested after earlier being released by the court.
Prince was arraigned on a two-count charge of engaging in child trafficking and selling a four-day old baby.
The accused had pleaded not guilty as the trial Judge; Justice Akintayo Aluko granted her bail with N2 million in like sum.
“She must provide a surety who must be a civil servant of not less than grade level 10.
“The surety must have a landed property in Abakaliki and the accused should be remanded in prison custody until she fulfils the bail conditions.’’
He adjourned the matter to December 5, for trial. (NAN)