Sunmola Olowokere

Two officials who were alleged to have been involved in baby stealing at the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development were yesterday arraigned before a High Court sitting in Akure.
The duo of Sarumi Adeyemi and Orisamehin Florence Bosede were charged to court on a two count charge of conspiracy and child stealing.
They were said to have stolen a baby girl belonging to one Deborah Iretioluwa Olorundare and later exchanged same with an imbecile baby boy.
They allegedly committed the offence on September 14, 2020 at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Akure,
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
It would be recalled that the case was earlier reported by The Hope two weeks ago.
The two defense counsels; Steve Adebowale and Victor Olatoyegun informed the court that the defendants were earlier granted bail through fiat by the former Chief Judge of Ondo State.
The defense counsel to the first defendant, Steve Adebowale while pleading for bail, urged the court to either allow the former fiat of April 2021to subsist or to grant him a fresh bail based on the fresh application before the court.
The counsel to the second defendant also told the court that he also had summons for bail of his client too.
The trial judge, Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi released them on bail in the sum of N1 million and one surety in like sum who must be a civil servant on grade level 12 or above, must have office and be resident in Akure among other conditions.
Fasanmi further ruled that the prosecution must check all the conditions, ensure that they are complied with and then write to the court for confirmation.
The prosecuting counsel, Bunmi Koyenikan told the court that she had three witnesses in court and was ready to proceed to trial.
However, the proceeding was stalled at the instance of the defence and the prosecution subsequently requested for an adjournment.
At the point of adjournment, the lead defense counsel, Steve Adebowale had urged the court to bar journalists from covering the case while complaining that his client had come under barrage of attack due to the media exposure.
The trial judge however told him that he had no such authority to bar Journalists from entering an open court while reminding him that even at the Supreme Court, the press had their own gallery.
He however told him that he has the opportunity to sue any erring media for libel or slander on behalf of his client.
He adjourned the case till 18, 19 and 25 of January, 2022 for continuation of the trial.