Rivers Judiciary Begins 2021-2022 Legal Year, ‘Morrow …As Court Remands Four For Child Theft

The Rivers State Judiciary will begin the 2021-2022 Legal Year tomorrow in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State, David Ihua-Maduenyi, the event wouldbe heralded by with a special court session at the Chief Judge’s Ceremonial Court,Block C, High Court Complex, Port Harcourt by 12noon.
The statement noted that the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi presided over the event.
“The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadiinvites members of the public to attend the legal year ceremonies”, the statement added.
According to the statement, a church service has been billed to hold at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Garrison, Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded four persons in the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre for alleged child theft and trafficking.
The four accused persons are Victoria John-Barile, Jennifer Osuji, UgochukwuKereand Emmanuel Iwuh-Onyebuchi.
They are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, child trafficking and abduction before a Chief Magistrate’sCourt.
Part of the charges read out in the court, last Monday, state:”That you, the four accused, are alleged to have on the 14th of April, 2020, at Umuojiohi community in Afara clan in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State abducted and trafficked one Precious Irechukwu, a one-year and 10 months’ old baby.”
According to the charges, the accused are alleged to have sold the one-year and 10 months’ old baby to Chinyere and Chioma whose surnames are yet to be revealed for the sum of N500,000, an offense said to be punishable under Criminal Code Law of Rivers State and Child Rights Act of the Federation.
In her ruling, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Rita Oguguo, ordered that all the accused be remanded in the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional facility after prosecution counsel rejected bail application made by the defense counsel.
The magistrate thereafter adjourned the matter till November 17, 2021 for hearing.

By: Akujobi Amadi