The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Cross River State Command, has secured the conviction of two men for trafficking eight children, including some of their biological children, for exploitation.
The convicts, Mabum Arisha and Mutashu Mabum, both from Mfom 1 Village in Ogoja Local Government Area of the state, were on Monday found guilty on all 17 counts by a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar.
The trial judge, Justice L. Ojukwu, ruled that the duo recruited and handed over the children from their community to one Ada Eze, who is currently at large, for exploitative purposes.
The charges were filed on August 16, 2024, and the defendants were arraigned on October 17, 2024, where they pleaded not guilty. However, following a full trial, the court convicted them on all counts.
Arisha, the first convict, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined N2 million on each of counts one to 11, with the sentences to run concurrently from the date of judgment. Mutashu Mabum, the second convict, received 12 years imprisonment and a fine of N2 million on each of counts 12 to 17, also to run concurrently from the date of judgment.
In addition, the court ordered that one of the rescued victims, Favour Arisha, who was recovered by NAPTIP from Lagos State, be placed in the temporary custody of the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development pending her release to a responsible family member who can guarantee her proper care.
