By Abasi Ita
A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced a couple, Esther Ini Udo and Eyo Stephen Udo, to 15 years’ imprisonment each for their involvement in baby trafficking.
The conviction was secured by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons following the couple’s prosecution on charges related to the buying and selling of children for exploitation.
The defendants were arraigned on a four count charge under the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. They had pleaded not guilty at the commencement of the trial.
Evidence presented before the court showed that Esther Udo sold her newborn baby to a woman identified as Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large, for N300,000. The couple was also found to have bought a one year old boy for N150,000 and resold the child to the same buyer for N400,000.
In his judgment delivered on April 1, 2026, Justice I. Ojukwu sentenced both convicts to 15 years in prison, with an option of a N2 million fine each. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
The judge condemned the crime and warned against the growing menace of child trafficking, stressing the need for stronger societal vigilance.
The court further directed authorities to arrest the alleged buyer, Oluchi Judith, to face prosecution for her role in the offence.
The anti trafficking agency reiterated its resolve to combat human trafficking and called on members of the public to support its efforts by reporting suspicious activities.