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From Tijani Yakubu-Lagos
A mild drama broke recently at the Ejigbo magistrated court when a woman who was
arraigned for kidnapping a 1 0 year old girl feigned to be mentally imbalanced.
The woman, Roseline Yemisi Babawumi,44 who resides at No 48,Fatai Akinyemi
Street,Ara Junction, Egan area of Lagos was charged to court for attempting to
kidnap Sheriff Adebowale of No l,Baba Dada Street, Egan,Lagos.
The police prosecutor told the court that Roseline allegedly committed the crime
on 11th August, 2008 at her house when Sheriff was sent on an errand by her
parents. The prosecutor further told the court that the suspect kept the little
girl with her until she was discovered by the residents who organized a search
party.
The offence, according to the police prosecutor, is contrary to section 508 and
punishable under section 509 of the criminal code, cap. c. 17. vol. 2, Laws of
Lagos State of Nigeria.
The drama however, started in the court room when the woman was docked and the
charge read to her instead of making a plea, she started singing to the
amusement of those present in the court room. Her action surprised the presiding
magistrate, Mr. A.O Ajibade, who asked the Investigating Police Officer (I.P.O)
whether the suspect behaves in the same manner at the police station. The I.P.O
however replied in the negative and disclosed that she wrote her statement by
herself.
While adjourning the case till 25th September,2008,the presiding magistrate
ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody, pending when she would
be able to answer the allegations leveled against her.
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