By Ekene Okafor
Three individuals, including a 72-year-old doctor, were arraigned before the Anambra State Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka on Wednesday.
The defendants, Dr. Daniel Ikebuilo, Ifunanya Ogbonna, 24, and Odinaka Okorie, 27, faced five counts of conspiracy, child stealing, and illegal sale of children. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Chinyere Okechukwu, the defendants allegedly conspired to steal and sell two children, aged six and five, between July 2024 and February 2025.
The court granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in like sum. The case was adjourned until May 7 for substantive hearing.
