Matilda Omonaiye|
A female pastor and a midwife tried to prove their innocence today after they were arrested by the police for attempting to sell a one-month-old baby girl.
Mrs Peace Udoh, according to the police, used her church as a cover to run a baby factory that was raided at Sango, on the outskirts of Lagos.
She was arrested alongside a midwife, identified as Mrs. Ajala Bukola and the mother of the baby girl identified as 17-year-old Goodnews Akpan.
The police also arrested Akpan’s elder sister, Angelina.
Narrating how she gave birth to the baby, Akpan said: “I was living with my parents in Akwa-Ibom State when I got pregnant. I don’t know who got me pregnant. I left my village to stay with my sister in Lagos when I was four months pregnant. My sister took me to Mrs Udoh’s church to give birth to the baby. She paid N17, 000 for the delivery of the baby. However, after one month, we were at home when the police came and arrested us. I don’t have any plans to sell my baby.”
Mrs Udoh also denied allegation that she was running a baby factory.
She said: “I am a nurse and the pastor of Divine Deliverance church. I don’t know anything about baby factory. I help people give birth and pray for them. I am shocked over this allegation'”
Mrs Ajala, the midwife, also denied the allegation.
She said: “I only assisted the pastor to deliver the babies. We don’t sell babies. I have been a midwife for 12 years. The name of my hospital is called El-Shaddai at Sango'”