Ado Ekiti, Nigeria — An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has ordered the remand of a 34-year-old woman, Deborah Ayeni, at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre over the alleged theft of a day old baby from a health facility in the state capital.

Police prosecutor Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi told the court on Wednesday that the offence, reported on August 4, 2025, had drawn significant public attention due to the rising incidence of child theft in the state.

Oriyomi alleged that Ayeni’s actions contravened Section 292 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021 and urged the court to grant his remand application, noting she was “reasonably suspected to have committed the offence.” He added that the case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The defendant, represented by counsel Stephen Ademuwagun, did not enter a plea during the proceedings.

Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted the remand request and adjourned the matter until September 12 for mention.