A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced a couple to 15 years’ imprisonment each for their involvement in child trafficking, following a successful prosecution by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The convicts, Esther Ini Udo and her husband, Eyo Stephen Udo, were found guilty on four counts bordering on the buying and selling of infants for exploitation, in violation of Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
According to court proceedings, Esther sold her own newborn baby for N300,000 to a woman identified as Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large and being sought by authorities. Further evidence presented before the court revealed that the couple also purchased a one-year-old child for N150,000 from two individuals and later resold the child to the same buyer for N400,000.
Delivering judgement, Justice I. Ojukwu expressed strong condemnation of the act, describing child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a serious criminal offence.
Although the defendants initially pleaded not guilty, the court found them guilty on all charges brought against them.
Justice Ojukwu subsequently sentenced both Esther and Eyo to 15 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N2 million fine. The sentence is to take effect from April 1, 2026.
The court also directed NAPTIP to intensify efforts to apprehend Oluchi Judith for her alleged involvement in the trafficking network and ensure she is brought to justice.
Cross River couple sentenced to 15 years each for child trafficking