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.
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.
Punch Metro gathered that the Ibekwes had contacted one 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.
It was gathered that the man, however, had a quarrel with 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.
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.
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.
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.
“But Chinelo gave me N250,000 for the baby when I went to 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.
“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.
“I do not know the whereabouts of my son. I did not know 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.”
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 7-01-2016 08:42 AM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero
DAMILARE100 at 7-01-2016 08:46 AM (7 years ago) (m)
Eeewu
Posted: at 7-01-2016 08:46 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
This is one crime federal government, lawmakers, should look into and bring punishable law for those committed this crime. This new way of people making money now, it's very very bad,i condemned it.
Posted: at 7-01-2016 09:01 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
zezprincess at 7-01-2016 10:45 AM (7 years ago) (f)
Hahaha,Na laff I laffoooo,imagine,abominable things dey happen for this country day in ,day out,couple agree to sell their five months baby boy @ 400k to boost business,or is it the adage that says "Use what you have to get what you want".Hmmmm,the way guys dey look for money nowadays,dem fit use every member of his family do ritual,he no send. But why una dey look for the lady that bought the pikin? She no steal am,na mutual agreement joor.
Posted: at 7-01-2016 10:45 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
Ah na wa o. Na pple like dis dey give d Igbo's bad name. Its sad to see pple commit such crime jt for money. Money shld not rule us na. We shld rule money for goodness sake
Posted: at 7-01-2016 10:46 AM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero