By Abasi Ita
A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has convicted two men for trafficking eight children for exploitation, including some of their own biological children.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Cross River State Command, secured the conviction of Mabum Arisha and Mutashu Mabum, both from Mfom I Village in Ogoja Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment, Justice L. Ojukwu found the defendants guilty on all 17 counts filed against them. The court heard that the convicts recruited and transferred the children from their community to one Ada Eze, who is currently at large, for exploitative purposes.
The case was filed on August 16, 2024, and the defendants were arraigned on October 17, 2024, where they pleaded not guilty. Following a full trial, the court returned a guilty verdict on all counts.
Arisha was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined N2 million on each of counts one to eleven, with the sentences to run concurrently from the date of judgment.
Mutashu Mabum was also sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined N2 million on each of counts twelve to seventeen, with the sentences to run concurrently from the date of judgment.
The court further ordered that one of the rescued victims, Favour Arisha, who was recovered in Lagos by the agency, be placed in the temporary custody of the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development. She is to remain in government care pending an undertaking by a responsible family member to ensure her proper welfare.