Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a landmark judgment that highlights Nigeria’s intensified legal fight against human trafficking, a Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted a couple for buying and selling infants, reflecting the country’s increasing crackdown on child exploitation.
The defendants, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were found guilty on four counts related to trafficking and selling babies for financial gain. The charges were brought under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, which criminalizes the recruitment, sale, and exploitation of children.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Esther Udo sold her newborn baby for 300,000 naira to a buyer, while the couple also purchased a one-year-old boy for 150,000 naira and resold him for 400,000 naira. This demonstrated a deliberate and systematic pattern of exploiting vulnerable children for profit.
The charges were filed in March 2025 following investigations by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
On April 1, 2026, after evaluating the evidence, the court sentenced each defendant to 15 years in prison, with the terms to run concurrently, and imposed a fine of 2 million naira on each. Justice Ojukwu condemned the acts as heinous and emphasized the importance of strict punishment to deter similar crimes. She also directed authorities to locate and apprehend Oluchi Judith, a suspected middleperson in the trafficking chain who remains at large.
NAPTIP has played a central role in prosecuting the case, drawing on extensive fieldwork, intelligence, and community collaboration. Child trafficking remains a significant issue in southern Nigeria, with so-called “baby factories” and illegal adoption schemes continuing to exploit vulnerable women and children. Security agencies regularly conduct raids on such facilities to disrupt these networks.
This case is part of a broader pattern of child trafficking incidents in Cross River and neighboring states. Earlier in 2026, two men were convicted for recruiting and transferring eight children for exploitation. These cases highlight ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable children and enforcing anti-trafficking laws.
Child protection advocates and legal experts have welcomed the Udos’ conviction as a strong judicial stance against human trafficking and a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to protecting children. They note that while Nigeria has robust anti-trafficking laws, effective enforcement and interagency cooperation are crucial to curbing the crime.
Beyond legal measures, authorities and civil society groups continue to emphasize addressing social and economic factors that contribute to child trafficking, including poverty, lack of education, and inadequate social support. Public awareness campaigns and community engagement are vital to preventing vulnerable families from being exploited by traffickers.
The court’s decision serves as both a punitive milestone and a warning that trafficking in persons, particularly children, is a severe violation of Nigerian law and human rights. Authorities reaffirm their commitment to dismantling trafficking networks, prosecuting all offenders, and ensuring the rescue and rehabilitation of victims.
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