6 pregnant teenagers in court fortrading babies

Umuahia - Six pregnant teenagers were on Monday arraigned in an Umuahia Magistrates’ Court on a two-count-charge of conspiracy to commit felony, buying and selling newly-born babies. Four of the teenagers, Blessing David, Chikodi Samuel, Mercy Dickson and Miracle Ifeanyi, appeared in court while Goodluck Erondu and Happiness Chinemerem were absent. The prosecutor, Insp. Agwu Okoronkwo, told the court that the fifth and sixth accused were not in court as they had given birth while in custody. Okoronkwo applied that the names of the two be deleted from the charge pending the time that they would be fit to stand trial. The teenagers and one Isaac Okwuonu, a medical doctor, now at large, were said to have, between July and September, at Isaac Okwuonu Memorial Hospital, Ogbor Hill, Aba, conspired to commit felony and trade in newly-born babies. When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge. Mr Ogbonnaya Nwannunu, the counsel for David, applied that she be granted bail since the offence was bailable. Nwannunu told the court that his client was a victim of circumstance, who was tricked into the business by her aunt. Ruling on the bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Kalu, granted bail to the four accused in the sum of N80, 000 each. She also granted the application of the prosecuting counsel that the two who did not appear in court be deleted till they were fit to stand trial. The matter was adjourned to Nov. 27 for hearing.