Man Arraigned For Claiming Paternity Of Ex-Lover's Child

(Photo: Tinubu Magistrate's Court)

A 29-year-old man, Toheeb Musa, was on Thursday arraigned before the
Tinubu Magistrate's Court, Lagos Island, for abduction.

He was also accused of laying claim to the paternity of a child whose
mother was his ex-lover.

It was gathered that Musa used to be in a relationship with the mother
of the child, Azeezat Adeshina, before she gave birth. After they
broke up, Adeshina moved on with someone else.

She later got pregnant and Musa felt that the baby must have been a
product of their previous love relationship.

It was further learnt that Musa allegedly abducted Adeshina and her
child and took them to Offa, Kwara State.

The Investigating Police Officer, Ganiyu Taiwo, told the court that
Musa had taken Adeshina to a native doctor's house in Offa.

The charges read, "That you, Toheeb Musa, on August 29, 2014, at about
17.00hrs, on Akasoro Street, Isale Eko, Lagos Island, Lagos, in the
Lagos Magisterial District, did abduct one Azeezat Adeshina with
intent to commit felony and thereby committed an offence contrary to
and punishable under Section 266 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,
2011.

"That you, Toheeb Musa, on the same date, time and place, in the
aforesaid Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner that
can cause breach of peace by claiming to be the father of Azeezat
Adeshina's baby and thereby committed an offence contrary to and
punishable under Section 166 (D) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,
2011."

Musa pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the defendant applied to the magistrate for bail in liberal
terms, but the prosecutor suggested that the bail conditions be made a
bit stringent considering the nature of the offence.

The magistrate, L.A. Owolabi, granted the suspect bail in the sum of
N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relation
and must be over 40 years old.

"The sureties must be resident in Lagos with verifiable addresses and
means of livelihood. They must also show evidence of tax payment to
the Lagos State Government," he added.

The case was adjourned till September 24, 2014.

PUNCH