A reported baby’s death. A hurried burial. Then a series of unanswered questions.
A 25-year-old woman, Chinaza Nwankwo, and her mother, Felicia Igwe, are facing trial in Anambra State over allegations that the birth of a baby boy was concealed and the infant’s whereabouts later became the subject of a bitter dispute.
The two women were arraigned before Court II of the Nnewi Chief Magistrate’s Court, where they pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge.
Other suspects linked to the case are said to be at large.
Husband says he was told his newborn had died
The allegations date back to October 30, 2025, when Chinaza reportedly gave birth at Family Pillars Dialysis and Maternity Hospital in Umuanuka, Otolo, Nnewi.
According to her husband, Victor Nwankwo, he received a phone call from his sister-in-law, Chimuanya, informing him that his wife had delivered a baby boy but that the child had died.
Victor told the court that he asked the family to keep the baby at the hospital until he could get there.
Unable to travel easily because of his physical condition, he said he sent his friend, Chigozie Onwunzo, with N100,000 to settle the hospital bill and retrieve the baby’s body.
But that plan allegedly changed.
Victor said Onwunzo was later informed by his mother-in-law, Felicia, that the child had already been buried.
No photo or burial evidence, husband alleges
The reported burial raised questions for Victor.
He told the court that despite repeatedly asking for evidence confirming the baby’s death and burial, he was allegedly not given photographs, videos or other documentation.
That prompted him to begin making his own inquiries.
According to his testimony, those inquiries produced information that caused him to question whether the baby had actually died.
Victor alleged that the infant may instead have been handed over to another person.
Man allegedly named as baby’s father in hospital records
The husband made another significant allegation before the court.
He claimed that Chinaza, his mother-in-law and the proprietor of the maternity hospital were involved in an alleged transfer of the child to a man identified as Obiano.
Victor said hospital records had identified Obiano as Chinaza’s husband and next of kin before she gave birth.
The allegation has not been established by the court.
Marriage was already strained
Victor also told the court that his relationship with Chinaza had deteriorated before the delivery.
He said she had left their matrimonial home months earlier but that he still attempted to reconcile with her as the birth of their child approached.
He further alleged that he later discovered what he believed was an effort to separate him from the baby by informing him that the newborn had died.
Court sets October trial dates
The defendants were first arraigned on June 19, 2026 and pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate A.C.I. Emekue granted them bail after two sureties, each with N500,000 in investment in Nnewi, were presented. The defendants subsequently met the bail conditions and were released.
The case was scheduled for July 23, but Victor was not in court that day, leading to another adjournment.
He appeared on August 7 and gave the court his account of the events surrounding the baby’s reported death and disappearance.
After his presentation, defence counsel requested an adjournment and asked to examine the case file.
The court subsequently fixed October 6, 15, 21 and 23, 2026, for trial.
The central question remains unanswered
At this stage, the court has not determined what happened to the infant.
The claims that the baby was stolen, sold or transferred to another person remain allegations made by the petitioner. They have not been proven.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution must establish its case in court.
For now, the reported death, burial and alleged disappearance of the baby remain at the centre of a case with more questions than answers.