Couple in Cross River jailed 15 years each for child trafficking
Following a successful prosecution by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), a Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, found a couple guilty of child trafficking and sentenced them to 15 years in jail each.
Esther Ini Udo and her husband, Eyo Stephen Udo, were found guilty on four counts of violating Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 by purchasing and selling children for exploitation.
According to court documents, Oluchi Judith, a lady who is presently at large and being sought by authorities, purchased Esther’s own newborn child for N300,000. The couple allegedly bought a one-year-old infant from two people for N150,000 and later resold the child to the same buyer for N400,000, according to further evidence submitted to the court.
In his ruling, Justice I. Ojukwu vehemently denounced the act, calling child trafficking a serious criminal offence and a serious violation of human rights. Despite the defendants’ first plea of not guilty, the court found them guilty of every charge.
Following that, Justice Ojukwu sentenced Eyo and Esther to 15 years in jail each, with the possibility of a N2 million fine. The punishment will go into force on April 1st, 2026.
Additionally, the court ordered NAPTIP to step up efforts to find Oluchi Judith and bring her to jail for her suspected role in the trafficking network.
