Baby theft: Accused exhibits fainting spells in court
BY Sunmola Olowookere
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Hearing commenced in the baby stealing suit filed before an Akure High Court against two officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as the prosecution led by Bunmi Koyenikan of the Department of Public Prosecution opened its case by calling the first witness.
The defendants; Mr Adéyemí Sarumi and Mrs Bosede Orisamehin are being prosecuted on two counts of conspiracy and baby theft.
It will be recalled that the case was adjourned till January 18, 2022 last year for commencement of trial.
However, the case suffered setbacks as the counsel to the second defendant, Kayode Adeola informed the court that the case could not go on due to the absence of his client.
The counsel said that the second defendant, Mrs Orisamehin had slipped and fell and was taken to the hospital for medical examination.
The case was thereafter adjourned till the next day, January 19, 2022 by the trial judge, Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi.
The second day was no less dramatic as the second defendant seemed to still suffer from the falling spell.
The trial judge had to order the court registrars to get a chair for the two defendants.
The prosecution called to the witness stand it’s first prosecution witness, Leye Alabi, a medical social worker said he admitted the mentally sick at the Neuro psychiatric hospital in Akure.
Alabi told the court that Deborah Olorundare was brought alongside her baby by the second defendant, Mrs Orisamehin and one other officer of the Minsitry to their facility on September 14, 2020.
He explained that as the officer in charge, he facilitated the admission process of the patient by getting her medical history from Mrs Orisamehin, who explained that Deborah Olorundare was a psychotic patient who delivered by the roadside in Ondo town with no known relation.
Alabi also told the court that he specifically asked for the sex of the baby wrapped with a shawl and Mrs Orisamehin told her that the baby was a female.
Details of his report was presented and admitted as exhibit before the court.
After cross-examination by the two defense counsels, Steve Adebowale and Kayode Adeola, the trial judge, Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi granted the prayer of counsel to the second defendant to adjourn the case to allow his client take care of her health
The trial has been adjourned till February 25 for further hearing.