Mother, 20, Abandons Day-Old Baby

A 20-year old mother has allegedly abandoned her day-old baby in a bush a day after her delivery.

A police prosecutor, Clement Egwu told an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court Tuesday that the issue was reported at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, by one Mr. Ezra Elisha on August 30, a day after the baby was allegedly delivered.

According to Ezra’s report to the police, he, Ezra found the new born baby crying without clothings in a bush, as he went to ease himself.

Meanwhile, the suspected mother, who gave her name as Rebecca Matthew, has been arrested by the police and is currently undergoing trial on a one-count charge of abandoning a child under 12 years, an offence contrary to Section 237 of the penal code.

Rebecca, who blamed her action on lack of care, pleaded guilty to the charge as she begged for mercy.

“I threw the baby away because there is nobody to take care of the two of us, the father of the baby is nowhere to be found.

“My father is late, my mother is sick and my two siblings are sicklers. I live with my brother who is yet jobless and has no money to support us.

“I have learnt my lesson, I am pleading for forgiveness,” she said.

However, Justice Oyewunmi, in her ruling, has ordered that Rebecca be remanded in prison custody till September 25, when the case will be revisited.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi