NYSC member arraigned for abandoning 14-day-old baby

Abeokuta—A 25-year-old National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, member, Miss Bere Basiri, was yesterday arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly abandoning her 14-day-old baby.

Police Prosecutor, Mr. Paul Etusi, had told the court that the  accused person, who is doing her Primary Assignment with Osun Government, delivered the baby in Abeokuta.

Etusi said that Basiri abandoned the child with one Funmilayo Fakorede on December 16, in Asero Estate Area of Abeokuta.
He said that Fakorede in turn gave the baby to one Sarah Adenle, who also gave the baby to another person identified as Modupe Aduke.

Etusi told the court that Basiri exposed the child to grievous harm and danger and that the matter was reported to the Police by some good-spirited individuals.

He said that the Police arrested Basiri through intelligence means and that the father of the child was identified as one Mr. Victor Kalu, a business man in Osogbo.

Etusi further accused Funmilayo Fakorede, 30, Sarah Adele, 25 and Modupe Aduke, 45 of conspiring to steal the child, adding that they knew that Basiri would not come back for the child.

He said: “They collected the child for dubious reasons.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their counsel, Mr. Adekunle Ogungbemi, thereafter applied for bail on behalf of his clients.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Kolawole Peters, granted them bail at N200,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

He said the sureties must have visible means of livelihood and should reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case to March 26, 2011 for further hearing.