by ‘Jola Sotubo

A woman in Akwa Ibom has been arrested by police in the state after reports that she sold her 3-day-old baby.

Imaobong Udoh, who was nursing her child at the time, is said to have connived with 4 other persons to facilitate the sale of the baby.

The young mother’s accomplices were identified as one Regina James, the buyer, her husband, Mfon James, Comfort Henry, the traditional midwife who delivered the baby, and Emmanuel Okon, the go-between who arranged the sale.

The arrests were confirmed by the State Commissioner of Police, Umar Gwadabe, who also added that the illegal transaction was revealed by the baby’s father.

Gwadabe said:

“On March 3, 2014, a case of child stealing was reported by Mr. Eteobong James, of No. 33 Urua Ekpa Road, Itu Local Government Area, to the police, where a three-day-old baby girl was sold for N260, 000.

“Mr Emmanuel Etim Okon, was the one that arranged the infamous deal and personally conveyed the baby from the point of delivery at Nna-Enin in Uruan Local Government Area to the buyers at No. 37 Church Road, Uyo.”

The mother was said to have received N150,000 for the baby while Okon received N100,000 for his part in the deal.

The buyer’s husband said he knew nothing about the deal as he only gave his wife money for ante-natal care when she said she was pregnant.

He said:

“l am a trader. My wife, Regina, told me she was pregnant and I gave her money for ante-natal. One day, she told me she was in labour and later informed me that she had been delivered of a baby girl.

“I did not know she bought the baby since she has given birth to four children, though three died.”

Okon, who is said to be a homeopathic doctor, also denied knowledge of the deal, stating that he only collected N30,000 for medical bills and not 100,000 as alleged.