The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a couple involved in child trafficking in Cross River State.
The convicts, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar.
According to a statement released by NAPTIP on Thursday, the couple were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on the buying and selling of babies for exploitation, in violation of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
The agency disclosed that the case, marked FHC/CA/19C/2025, was filed on March 19, 2025.
NAPTIP stated that the first convict sold her newborn baby to one Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large, for N300,000. It further revealed that the couple also purchased a one-year-old baby boy for N150,000 from two individuals, Blessing and Uduak, and later resold the child to the same buyer for N400,000.
Both defendants initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Delivering judgment on April 1, 2026, Justice I. Ojukwu sentenced Esther Udo to 15 years’ imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine. Her husband, Eyo Udo, received the same sentence, also with an option of a N2 million fine.
The court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently from the date of judgment.
Justice Ojukwu strongly condemned the offences and warned members of the public against engaging in child trafficking for financial gain.
The court also directed NAPTIP to apprehend Oluchi Judith for prosecution over her alleged involvement in the trafficking activities.