Two Women Arraigned for Alleged Abduction of 13-Year-Old Girl in Lagos
Two women, Funke Aire, aged 50, and Divine Richard, aged 27, have been formally charged by the Badagry Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos over the alleged abduction of a 13-year-old girl, Zubaida Ibrahim. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them during the court proceedings.
Details of the Alleged Offence
The prosecutor, ASP Edet Ekpo, informed the court that the offences were committed on March 12, at approximately 9:23 p.m., at Agbomimo by First Storey Building in Badagry, Lagos. According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired to abduct the minor without the consent of her parents, leading to their eventual apprehension by members of the public who subsequently handed them over to the police for prosecution.
Legal Charges and Court Proceedings
The charges against Aire and Richard border on conspiracy and abduction, contravening sections 268 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015. The addresses of the defendants were not provided in the court records. Chief Magistrate Mr. Nurudeen Layeni granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties required for each defendant in like sum. Additionally, the court ordered that one of the sureties must be a company director or a community leader to ensure compliance with bail conditions.
Case Adjournment
The case has been adjourned until April 23 for mention, allowing for further legal proceedings and investigations. This development highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the judiciary to address crimes involving minors in Lagos, emphasizing the seriousness with which such cases are treated under Nigerian law.
