A 42-year-old food vendor, Happiness Sunday, has been remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre by an Akure Magistrates’ Court over her alleged role in the disappearance of a four-year-old child, Jensita Sunday, who was in her custody.
The defendant, owner of Chioma Restaurant in Akure, was arraigned alongside the child’s mother, Nneka Onah, 23, on two counts of child stealing.
According to police prosecutor Martins Olowofeso, the alleged crime took place on February 7, 2025, along Hospital Road in Akure. He stated that Onah had willingly handed over her daughter to her employer, Happiness, after repeated requests from the latter to care for the child.
Trouble reportedly started when Happiness approached the child's father, Ifeanyi, claiming that he had taken Jensita from her without consent. However, the father denied the accusation, leading to a police investigation into the child’s disappearance.
The charges against them fall under Section 371 of the Criminal Code Law, 2006.
During court proceedings, the prosecutor requested that the defendants be remanded pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Defense counsel Alex Olademehin, representing Happiness, pleaded for bail on medical grounds, stating that his client had been in police custody for two weeks. He also noted that Onah had continued operating her shop without showing remorse before her court appearance.
Magistrate B.A. Alphonso, however, ruled that Happiness be remanded at Olokuta Correctional Centre while the child’s mother remains in police custody for medical evaluation before possible transfer to the correctional facility. The case file has been forwarded for further investigation.
Following the court order, police authorities sealed Chioma Restaurant on Thursday and detained all staff members for questioning.
The case has been adjourned to March 25, 2025, for further mention.
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