Woman Sentenced For Stealing Five Kids In Anambra

Woman Sentenced For Stealing Five Kids In Anambra

Victoria Enwerem, 42, was sentenced to prison for allegedly stealing five children aged 9, 7, 3, 10, and 8 in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Enwerem was arraigned in Awka, Anambra State, before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy to steal children, fraudulently enticing away and habouring children, and forcibly isolating the children from the lawful possession of their parents.

The offenses are punishable under the Criminal Code, Anambra State Laws of Nigeria, 1991, and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State, 2017.

In her decision, Presiding Chief Magistrate Genevieve Osakwe stated that the accused was found guilty of all three charges brought against her.

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She sentenced the defendant to four years in prison in count one, eight years in count two, and six months in count three, declaring that all sentences would run concurrently and without the option of a fine.

“Based on oral testimonies of the defendant herself and submissions of the plaintiff witnesses, as well as, other materials placed before the Court, in respect of the case; there are overwhelming pieces of evidence against the defendant, and the prosecutor had proved his case beyond reasonable doubts,” she said.

According to Police prosecutor in the charge, Victoria Enwerem (Anosike) in September 2022, conspired with one Oluchi Ahamefula, now at large, to steal children at popular MCC Junction, Onitsha, with a view to moving the children to unknown destination.

He said luck however ran out on her as she was caught by some police officers on stop and search operation at Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the State.

“She was granted bail but jumped bail and was later tracked and apprehended at a remote part of Ebonyi State, in possession of two other underaged kids who she allegedly stole from their parents.

“It was later discovered that she had continued her business of stealing children, while hiding in the State,” he said.

While being arraigned for the second time, the accused told the Court that her defense Counsel, one C. D. Nwaka-Ohuoha, Esq, duped her, collected an undisclosed sum of money from her, and informed her to stop going to Court, with the promise that she would scuttle the case pending in Court and ensure she would never go to prison.

The presiding Magistrate, visibly enraged, expressed sadness over defense Counsel’s deceptive attitude, describing it as unprofessional legal practice.

She praised the police for their perseverance and dedication, particularly in tracking down and apprehending the accused so that she could face her trials.

She also urged the Women and Social Welfare Ministry in Awka to write to its counterpart in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, immediately to ensure the closure of the alleged accused’s orphanage.

In a statement, Anambra Women and Social Welfare Commissioner Ify Obinabo expressed her delight at the speedy trial of the case, assuring her ministry’s collaboration with her Portharcourt counterpart to ensure the concerned orphanage was sealed in order to save innocent members of the public.

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