A housewife, Abigael Popoola, and a student, Opeyemi Ibrahim, were on Tuesday charged before an Omu-Aran Upper Area Court in Kwara for allegedly kidnapping a two and a half year-old girl.

Popoola and 16-year-old Ibrahim, who all reside in Omu-Aran, were arraigned on a two-count charge of kidnapping and criminal trespass.

The prosecutor, Insp. Fabiyi Abiodun, told the court that a 39-year-old trader, Nafisat Ogunrinde, had on Nov. 19, 2012 reported the kidnap of her daughter to the police.

Abiodun said that Ogunrinde had informed the police that the little girl was discovered missing during a naming ceremony in her compound at No. 22, Egbe Road, Omu-Aran.

He said that the police immediately launched a search and later discovered the missing girl in Ibrahim's possession.

Abiodun said that during interrogation, Ibrahim confessed that it was Popoola who asked her to kidnap the little girl.

The prosecutor said that although Popoola denied Ibrahim's allegation, she nevertheless confirmed that she saw the student on the fateful day and even sent her to fetch water for her.

"This is in spite of the fact that they do not live together and are not in any way related except that her place is a stone throw from Ibrahim's school," Abiodun said.

The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed contravened Sections 271 and 342 of the Penal Code.

Both Ibrahim and Popoola, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The judge, Fagbemi Adeyemi, granted each accused person bail in the sum of N50, 000 and one surety in like sum.

He adjourned the case till Feb. 26 for further hearing.