Housewife, Mother Face Jail Over Missing Day-Old Baby in Nnewi

By Our Staff Writer

A 25-year-old housewife, Mrs Chinaza Nwankwo, and her mother, Mrs Felicia Igwe, have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nnewi, Anambra State, over the alleged concealment of the birth and disappearance of a male infant.

The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, are facing a two-count charge alongside other suspects said to be at large in Suit No. NMC/1525/2026 before Court II of the Nnewi Chief Magistrate’s Court.

According to the charge, Mrs. Nwankwo and her mother, Felicia allegedly conspired on October 30, 2025, at Otolo, Nnewi, to conceal the birth of a male child.

They are also accused of concealing the remains of the child from his biological father and members of his family after the child was allegedly delivered at Family Pillars Dialysis and Maternity Hospital, Umuanuka, Otolo, Nnewi.

The offences are said to be punishable under Sections 496(a) and 284 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991.

The defendants were first arraigned on June 19, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate A.C.I. Emekue granted them bail after two sureties, each valued at N500,000 in investment in Nnewi, were presented. The defendants subsequently perfected their bail conditions and were released.

The case came up on July 23, but the petitioner, Mr Victor Nwankwo, was absent from court, resulting in an adjournment.

On August 7, Nwankwo appeared before the court and made an oral presentation on the circumstances surrounding the reported death and disappearance of the child.

Nwankwo is the husband of the first defendant and resides at Ezenwelike, Eziara, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State. Igwe, his mother-in-law, resides in Eziogugu, Otolo, Nnewi.

According to Nwankwo, his wife’s sister, identified as Chimuanya, informed him by telephone on October 30, 2025, that Chinaza had delivered a baby boy but that the child had died.

Nwankwo told the court that he asked that the child be kept until he could get to the hospital.

“Shocked by the news, I told them to hold on that I am coming to the hospital, and that they should keep the baby whether dead or alive for me to see as the father,” he said.

He said that, because of his physical condition and difficulty with movement, he sent his friend, Mr Chigozie Onwunzo, to the hospital with N100,000 to settle the bills and retrieve the child’s body.

According to him, Onwunzo was subsequently informed by Igwe that the child had already been buried.

Nwankwo alleged that no photographs, videos or other evidence of the child’s death or burial was provided despite repeated requests.

He said the circumstances prompted him to conduct his own inquiries into what had happened to the child.

Nwankwo further alleged that information obtained during his inquiries suggested that the child may not have died at birth but may have been handed over to another person.

He alleged that his wife, mother-in-law and the proprietor of the maternity hospital were involved in the alleged transfer of the child to a man identified as Mr Obiano.

“They gave him away to one Mr Obiano, whom my wife identified in the hospital record as her husband and next of kin before the delivery,” he alleged.

Nwankwo also told the court that his relationship with Chinaza had deteriorated before the delivery and that she had left their matrimonial home months earlier.

He alleged that he nevertheless attempted to reconcile with her in anticipation of the birth of their child.

Nwankwo further alleged that he later discovered what he described as a plan to separate him from the child by reporting that the baby had died.

The defence counsel, following Nwankwo’s presentation, applied for an adjournment and requested the case file for examination.

The trial magistrate subsequently adjourned the matter to October 6, 15, 21 and 23, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The court has not determined the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance. Claims that the infant was stolen, sold or handed over to another person are allegations made by the petitioner and remain unproven.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the prosecution is required to establish its case before the court.