Two persons have been convicted by the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State for human trafficking and attempted sale of a minor.
The convicts, Patience Okon, 25, and Michael Ofem, 32, were prosecuted in Charge No. FHC/CA/54C/2025 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defendants, filed on May 22, 2025.
They were arraigned on June 19, 2025 on a four-count charge bordering on human trafficking and attempted sale of persons, contrary to Sections 13(2)(b), 27 and 29 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act.
The court heard that the defendants transported a 12-year-old victim, Praise Ojating Ichire, from the 8 Miles area of Calabar through abduction, deception and abuse of her vulnerable condition.
Although both initially pleaded not guilty, they later changed their plea and admitted to all counts on January 28, 2026.
Delivering judgment, L. I. Ojukwu found the defendants guilty on all four counts and sentenced them to 12 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N100,000 fine.
The sentences are to run concurrently from the day of their arrest.
The court also ordered that the victim be handed over to her relatives after proper verification to ensure the caregiver is fit and responsible.
