Both the seller of a day old baby (the mother) and the buyer for N300,000, have been caught by the long arm of the law and are being tried at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The baby’s mother, Chineye Nwako, and the buyer, Happiness Bini, are facing conspiracy, child trafficking and unlawful adoption.

The two accused were apprehended by the police following a tip-off that Bini was in possession of a baby suspected to have been stolen.

They committed the offences on Oct. 4, 2019, at 10.00pm on Oki Lane, Sari-Iganmu in Orile area near Surulere in Lagos, according to Police Prosecutor Ezekiel Ayorinde.

“The arrest of the defendants was based on information received by the police that Bini was in possession of a baby suspected to have been stolen, ’’ he told the court.

The offences violate Sections 269, 276 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).

The duo pleaded innocence of the offences.

Ruling on their bail applications, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government, she said.

Hearing in the case has been adjourned until Feb. 3, 2020.