On Tuesday, the Lagos State Police Command took a 36-year-old man named Aminu Shanaki to court. They say he took a child without permission.
Shanaki is in trouble for two reasons: working with others to commit a crime and stealing. He is being tried in the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
When asked, Shanaki said he did not do it.
Before this, a police officer named Inspector John Iberedem told the court that Shanaki took the child on September 7. This happened at Kola Bus Stop in the Alagbado area of Lagos.
Inspector Iberedem said the child belongs to a woman named Mrs. Kausara Olaegbe.
He explained that people saw Shanaki taking the child and stopped him. They then handed him over to the police.
The officer said that what Shanaki did breaks Sections 275(1)(a) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
According to Section 275, taking a child without permission can lead to 14 years in jail. Section 411 says working with others to commit a crime can result in 2 years in jail.
The judge, Mrs. E. Kubeinje, said Shanaki can go home if he pays N300,000 and finds two people to vouch for him.
Judge Kubeinje added that these two people must have jobs and must show proof they pay taxes to the Lagos State Government.
She decided that the next time they will talk about this case is October 15, 2024.
