By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a couple for baby trafficking in Cross River State, with a combined sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment.
The convicts, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were sentenced by the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar to 15 years in prison each after being found guilty of multiple trafficking offences.
According to a statement issued by NAPTIP on Thursday, the couple was 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 first convict sold her newborn baby for N300,000 to a buyer identified as Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large. It further revealed that the couple also purchased a one-year-old baby boy for N150,000 from two individuals and resold the child to the same buyer for N400,000.
The offences formed the basis of the charge marked FHC/CA/19C/2025, filed on March 19, 2025. Both defendants had 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, while her husband received a similar sentence with the same fine option. The court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently from the date of judgment.
Justice Ojukwu condemned the act and warned against engaging in child trafficking for financial gain. The court also directed NAPTIP to arrest the alleged buyer, Oluchi Judith, for prosecution over her involvement in the illegal trade.
