The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old
man, Okwuchukwu Ibekwe, for allegedly selling his five-month-old son to a
syndicate in Anambra State for N400,000.
man, Okwuchukwu Ibekwe, for allegedly selling his five-month-old son to a
syndicate in Anambra State for N400,000.
A Punch correspondent learnt that Okwuchukwu, who lives on
Shinaba Street, in the Iyana Iba area of Lagos, had some difficulties in his
trade and allegedly decided with his wife to raise some money by selling the
baby.
Shinaba Street, in the Iyana Iba area of Lagos, had some difficulties in his
trade and allegedly decided with his wife to raise some money by selling the
baby.
Punch Metro gathered that the Ibekwes had contacted one
Chinelo, who is still on the run, on December 17, 2015, for the transaction.
Chinelo, who is still on the run, on December 17, 2015, for the transaction.
It was learnt that Chinelo, who stayed in Ihiala, Anambra
State, paid the Ibekwes N400,000 ─ N250,000 to the father and N150,000 to the
mother of the baby.
State, paid the Ibekwes N400,000 ─ N250,000 to the father and N150,000 to the
mother of the baby.
It was gathered that the man, however, had a quarrel with
his wife after returning from his trip to Anambra.
his wife after returning from his trip to Anambra.
It was gathered that when he refused to give the wife her
share, she reported the matter to the police.
share, she reported the matter to the police.
She then fled the house after making the report. Okwuchukwu
was, however, arrested and detained at the Police Gender Unit, Ikeja, while
police operatives also arrested Chinelo’s husband in Anambra State. The baby
and Chinelo had yet to be found.
was, however, arrested and detained at the Police Gender Unit, Ikeja, while
police operatives also arrested Chinelo’s husband in Anambra State. The baby
and Chinelo had yet to be found.
While being paraded on Wednesday, Okwuchukwu said he
collected N400,000 from Chinelo in exchange for his son with the full knowledge
of his wife.
collected N400,000 from Chinelo in exchange for his son with the full knowledge
of his wife.
He said, “Chinelo was to give me N400,000 for the baby. My
wife was the one who suggested that we dispose of the baby to meet our business
needs.
wife was the one who suggested that we dispose of the baby to meet our business
needs.
“But Chinelo gave me N250,000 for the baby when I went to
deliver him to her in Anambra State.
deliver him to her in Anambra State.
“When I returned, my wife and I quarrelled and she ran away
for three days. I did not know that she went to report the matter to the
police. She was concerned with her own share of N150,000.
for three days. I did not know that she went to report the matter to the
police. She was concerned with her own share of N150,000.
“I sell vehicle spare parts in Ladipo market.
“It was a lawyer who called me that my wife had reported me
to the police, and that I should come and see her. When I went there, I was
arrested.
to the police, and that I should come and see her. When I went there, I was
arrested.
“I do not know the whereabouts of my son. I did not know
Chinelo would run away with my child.”
Chinelo would run away with my child.”
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who
paraded the suspect, said the case was undergoing “intense investigation.”
paraded the suspect, said the case was undergoing “intense investigation.”
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