Nigerian orphan, 20, arrested for selling baby for $333 to 40-year-old barren woman

A Nigerian lady has been arrested by authorities after it was discovered that she sold her baby to an unknown couple based in Lagos for $333 (N150, 000). The lady, who resides in Imo state, Eastern Nigeria, was traced after the baby, who was being conveyed to the buyers in Lagos was intercepted by the police.

According to the 20-year old orphan, she sold her one-month-old baby due to economic hardship.

The Vanguard reported that two passengers, who identified themselves as a couple were arrested alongside five others in a Toyota Sienna bus when they failed to convince authorities about the baby.

After persistent interrogation, the couple – Patrick Mbama, 41, and Ogechi Chinonso Ekwebele, 30, – revealed the baby was being transported to the childless couple, who have since been arrested.

The orphan, Miracle Kalu, was also arrested by the police. During routine questioning, she told the police, “I knew I could not take care of the baby because I am not working.”

She further disclosed that she was advised to terminate the pregnancy by the father of the baby, but decided otherwise.

“I was impregnated by a trader in Orlu. But when I informed him, he said I should terminate it, that he was not ready to face such responsibilities. He abandoned me,” she told the police.

Meanwhile, the buyer, 40-year-old Mrs. Cecelia Okafor told the police she paid the amount for the baby because she has been barren after 15 years of marriage.

She said: “I have been barren for 15 years. I paid the amount because I was in dire need of a baby to call my own. I saw this as an opportunity to experience how it feels like being a mother and I also wanted to take care of the baby.”

In 2019, authorities arrested a mother and two nurses for allegedly selling a baby for $138,408.30 (N500,000).