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Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, on Thursday sentenced a couple to 15 years imprisonment each for child trafficking.
The Cross River Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) arraigned Esther and Eyo Udo on a four- count charge of buying and selling babies for exploitation.
In her ruling, Justice Ojukwu convicted the couple on all counts after reviewing evidence presented before the court.
She sentenced Esther to 15 years imprisonment with a fine of N2 million.
According to the judge, the sentences run concurrently and takes effect from the date of judgment.
The judge also directed authorities to arrest Oluchi Judith for prosecution over her alleged involvement in multiple trafficking cases.
The prosecution said Esther sold her newborn baby for N300,000 to Judith, who is currently at large.
NAPTIP also told the court that the convicts also bought a one-year-old boy for N150,000 and sold him to the same buyer for N400,000.
They were charged under Sections 13(4)(a)(c)(e), 21 and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge filed on March 19, 2025, prompting a full trial
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