The Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Government have maintained silence over the probe into the disappearance of a baby at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
A policeman attached to the formation, Samuel Ukpabio, was said to have taken the child from his mother, Fortune Obafuoso, while claiming to be acting for a government ministry.
The child’s mother, Fortune Obafuoso, said on Friday, December 23, 2022, when she was delivered of her baby, the policeman arrested her and took her alongside her children, including the newborn, to the SCID, on the allegation that she wanted to sell the baby, a claim she denied.
The 35-year-old explained that Ukpabio, while interrogating her at the SCID, forcefully took her baby and handed him over to a yet-to-be-identified woman from a ministry in the state.
The cop subsequently gave her N15,000, and threatened her not to return for the baby.
He sent her another N170,000 after she kept demanding the child.
“The last time I saw my newborn was at the SCID, where a policeman, Samuel Ukpabio, connived with people who pretended to help me and stole my baby. All I want is my baby,” the 35-year-old told our correspondent in a special report published last Friday.
The state police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, had said the policeman had been arrested.
A rights lawyer, Femi Falana, said it was not enough for the police to claim that Ukpabio had been arrested.
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said, “If they have arrested the policeman (Obafuoso), then why have they not charged him? It is a case of kidnapping. If the mother is asking for her child, the policeman that took the child must produce the child. Where is the child? The child is breastfeeding, so where has he taken the child to and who is taking care of the child now? So, it should be declared that the baby is missing and the police must explain.”
Another SAN, Isiaka Olagunju, said giving up a baby for adoption was not a crime provided proper procedures were followed.
He noted that it was wrong for people to give up their baby for adoption without going through the appropriate ministry in the state.
“As for the police and the ministry that took the child, there must be a disclosure about who adopted the child, and where the child was taken to; she (Obafuoso) must know because she has not given up the child for adoption as of the time she was arrested by the police.
“Another thing is that where did the police get the N170,000 that was paid into her account? Who gave the police that money and who authorised the payment? So, there is secrecy in all the transactions involving the police and the woman which needs to be properly investigated. She needs to get proper counsel that would assist her in ensuring that everything goes well. The policeman (Ukpabio) should be properly investigated,” Olagunju added.
Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu, proved abortive as he did not take his calls when contacted by our correspondent.
Contacted for a follow-up reaction, the police spokesman said, “They (SCID) have not sent the update to me. I have spoken with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (SCID). Once he sends me an update, I will give it to you.”
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