Six pregnant teenagers were on Monday arraigned in an Umuahia Magistrate’s Court on two counts of conspiracy to commit felony, buying and selling newly-born babies, News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Four of the teenagers, Blessing David, Chikodi Samuel, Mercy Dickson and Miracle Ifeanyi, appeared in court while Goodluck Erondu and Happiness Chinemerem were absent.
The prosecutor, Inspector Agwu Okoronkwo, said the fifth and sixth accused had given birth while in custody.
Okoronkwo applied that the names of the two be deleted from the charge pending the time that they would be fit to stand trial.
The teenagers and one Isaac Okwuonu, a medical doctor, now at large, were said to have, between July and September, conspired to trade in newly-born babies.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
Mr Ogbonnaya Nwannunu, the counsel for David, said his client was tricked into the business by her aunt.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Kalu, granted bail to the four accused in the sum of N80, 000 each.
She also granted that the two, who did not appear in court, be deleted.
The matter was adjourned to November 27 for hearing.
Source: PUNCH