Nyira, a 10 days baby, has died in the hands of her handlers who intend to sell her to a potential buyer, the court told.

Nyira’s handlers allegedly managed to bury her without reporting the matter to any authority at the Atuabo area in the Western region.

In fact, the Accra circuit court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah was told by the prosecuting officer, ASP Sylvester Asare yesterday that Nyira was one of the baby traders’ victims.  

Narrating the case to the court, the prosecutor said the National Intelligent Bureau (NIB) received information that Cynthia Beyejen, a retired midwife, 63, together with three others were into the business of selling children.

He said the Bureau’s agents acted on the intelligence and had the retired midwife, Ediemu Bozoma, trader, 55 and Cynthia Quarshie, private security personnel, 20, with the exception of Sylvester Quarshie Nyamekeh, mason, 33, who is currently on the run, arrested.

According to him, Nyamekeh in particular, the Bureau’s agent found in his possession a seven-month baby boy named Jerome and was offered to be sold at the cost of GH¢80,000.00 at Atuabo.

“The Bureau’s agent feigned interest buying the said victim, Jerome. [Accused] Sylvester did all the negotiation on phone with the agent and even sent recorded video of late victim Nhyira, a 10-day old baby girl to show that he is into the business of baby selling,” he narrated.

He said through the negotiation, accused Nyamekeh mentioned the retired midwife as his source supply of the infants.

ASP Asare added that the investigation also revealed that suspects Ediemu Bozoma and Cynthia Quarshie allegedly assisted accused Nyamekeh in carrying out his business by keeping and taking care of the victims in their house.

He said Ediemu and Cynthia would take care of the victims until Nyamekeh disposes off the babies.

“It was also established that the late victim Nhyira was with Ediemu Bozoma, Cynthia Quarsine and one Mr. Quarshie, now at large, who claimed the victim Nhyira died in the process of keeping her.

“Suspect Ediemu Bozoma informed [accused] Cynthia Beyejen of the death of victim Nhyira and [accused] Cynthia Beyejen commanded [the accused persons] Ediemu Bozoma, Cynthia Quarshie and Mr. Quarshie to bury her without reporting to any authority within the area.” 

The prosecuting officer told the court the case is still under investigation and as a result, the accused persons who pleaded not guilty to seven charges of child stealing, abetment of crime, conspiracy to commit crime and hindrance of inquest were remanded into the NIB’s custody.

The accused are to appear before the court on November 10, 2021.

By Adelaide Oforiwa