Key Takeaways
- Deborah Ayeni, 37, received a 14-year prison sentence for child stealing.
- The sentence was delivered in absentia, with Ayeni declared a fugitive.
- Her two sureties, including her father, were sentenced to six months imprisonment each for failing to produce her.
- The court has ordered authorities to apprehend Ayeni, with her sentence commencing upon arrest.
- Ayeni's motive was to conceal a lost pregnancy from her husband abroad.
In a significant ruling underscoring the judiciary's commitment to justice, an Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, has sentenced 37-year-old Deborah Ayeni to 14 years in prison for the heinous crime of stealing a newborn baby. The judgment, delivered in absentia, marks a stern warning against such offenses and the evasion of legal proceedings.
The Court's Stern Verdict
Justice Lekan Olatawura, presiding over the case, not only handed down the substantial prison term but also declared Ayeni a fugitive from justice. This declaration came after her sureties repeatedly failed to produce her in court during the trial. To ensure her apprehension, Justice Olatawura ordered the court registrar to promptly forward copies of the judgment and a formal letter to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Nigeria Police and the media, effectively declaring Ayeni wanted. The court further ruled that her 14-year sentence would commence immediately upon her arrest, ensuring that her evasion does not diminish the gravity of her punishment.
Sureties Face Consequences
The ramifications of Ayeni's disappearance extended beyond her own fate. Her two sureties, including her father, Mr. Babatope Ebenezer Ayeni, were each sentenced to six months in prison. Their conviction stemmed from their failure to produce Deborah Ayeni in court and to pay the required recognisance fees, a direct contravention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Ekiti State, 2014 (as amended). This aspect of the judgment highlights the critical responsibilities and legal obligations placed upon individuals who stand as sureties, reinforcing the integrity of the bail system. Justice Olatawura had previously revoked Ayeni's bail after her persistent failure to appear in court to answer the charge against her, setting the stage for the subsequent absentia judgment.
A Desperate Act: The Crime Unveiled
The prosecution, led by counsel Ibironke Odetola, meticulously presented the case against Deborah Ayeni. She was first arraigned on September 1, 2025, where she pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of child stealing. The court heard that on August 4, 2025, in Ado-Ekiti, Ayeni unlawfully took away a newborn baby belonging to Mustapher Aliu and his wife, Falmata, with the malicious intent of depriving them of their child. Following her initial arrest and detention at the Correctional Centre in Ado-Ekiti, Ayeni was granted bail set at N2 million with two sureties in like sum. However, during the presentation of the third prosecution witness, Ayeni informed her counsel, Mr. Stephen Ademuagun, that she had been kidnapped on her way to court, a claim that was never substantiated, and she subsequently ceased appearing. Her father, one of her sureties, appeared in court only once, and when questioned by the judge about his daughter's whereabouts, he simply stated she was at home, contradicting her earlier claim.
Motive and Modus Operandi
The prosecution further revealed the disturbing motive behind Ayeni's actions. She had reportedly lost a pregnancy in May 2025 and, in a desperate attempt to conceal this loss and preserve her marriage, she deceived her husband, who was based abroad. She invited him back to Nigeria for her 'delivery' and even feigned pregnancy by wrapping clothes around her stomach. Her elaborate deception culminated in her going to a hospital in the Okeyinmi area of Ado-Ekiti, where she stole the baby from the unsuspecting complainants. She then presented the stolen infant to a midwife for care, lying to her husband that she had buried the placenta upon his questioning. It was the observant midwife who noticed anomalies in Ayeni's activities and promptly informed the police, leading to her arrest and the successful rescue of the stolen child, who was found alive. The offence for which Ayeni was convicted contravenes Section 292 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, a statute designed to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Why This Matters
This judgment sends a powerful message about the severe consequences of child abduction and the unwavering resolve of the Nigerian judiciary to uphold justice, even in the face of evasion. It also serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities of sureties, reinforcing the legal framework designed to ensure accountability and deter criminal acts that inflict profound emotional trauma on families and destabilize communities.