A 20-year-old female inmate of the Aba Federal Prison, Blessing Azubuike, has reportedly given birth to a bouncing baby boy while in custody.
A source who revealed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that Azubuike and her child were in good condition even as both of them remained in the prison facility.
The detainee was arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court at Osisioma Local Government Area presided over by Chief Magistrate Grace Ukeje for alleged case of child stealing in November 2015.
The source said that Azubuike and Chibuisi Emmanuel Nnaukwu, 20, and others at large, around September last year kidnapped three-year-old Chinwendu Divine and one Miss Ezinne Echeka, 16.
The crime was allegedly committed at No. 41 Umuada Street, Over Rail, Aba in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia.
One of their victims, Ezinne Echeka, had reportedly been released and reunited with her family.
However, the source said that Chinwendu Divine was still missing as information about whom the gang sold her to in Lagos was yet to be located.
Police is reported to be working to recover the stolen child.
NAN learnt that the two suspects, Azubuike and Emmanuel were remanded in prison custody after being arraigned because the magistrates’ court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He also said that the prosecutor, Mr Barth Ukachukwu, was later directed to send the case file to the director of public prosecution in the ministry of justice for advice.
The police slammed a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and stealing against the alleged kidnappers.
The suspects are facing punishments ranging from seven years in jail to death if convicted.
The matter is reserved for May 24 for report of compliance to the orders of the court to get director’s advice. (NAN)