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Couple sells daughter few hours after birth at N400,000 in Abia state

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2 years ago

July 3, 2022

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A couple identified as 35-year-old Ifeanyi and Emmanuel Elijah, 30, have been arrested by the Imo State Police Command for allegedly selling their daughter, Chinecherem, for N400,000, a few hours after delivery.

The husband and wife, who are residents of Irete, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, are indigenes of Amakpu- Umuba, in the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.

Also involved in the crime are 35-year-old Grace Mezu, of Umuoba Uratta, in the Owerri North LGA; 55-year-old Fedalia Ariri, also of Umuoba Uratta; and Amarachi Obiekwe , 49 , of Osina, in the Ideato North LGA.

They were paraded before newsmen on Monday at the command headquarters in Owerri, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, while parading the suspects, said the couple conspired on January 26, 2018, a few hours after giving birth to the girl and sold her to Obiekwe, through Mezu and Ariri.

He said the couple had given birth to seven children and that the whereabouts of two were still unknown.

Enwerem explained further that the woman was delivered of the baby at home, while the waiting buyers paid immediately to take possession of the newborn baby.

He said the baby was recovered on February 17 in Lagos State, adding that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, had ordered that the matter be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Enwerem said, “The innocent baby was denied love and parental care immediately she was given birth to. The parents conspired to take N400,000 instead of their daughter.

“The Commissioner of Police, who is pissed off with this act of wickedness and crime against humanity, has ordered that the wheels of justice and investigation be accelerated so that the matter would be charged to court.

“Having found out that the mother of the child was part of the conspiracy, the CP has ordered that the innocent baby be taken from her and handed over to the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

“The suspects have made confessional statements and we are working to ensure that justice is served. The Commissioner of Police advised that those who are in need of children should go through legal means to adopt them.”