NAPTIP secures 15-year jail term each for a couple convicted of trafficking babies in Cross River State by a Federal High Court in Calabar

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP has secured the conviction of a couple for trafficking babies in Cross River State.

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The convicts, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment each by a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar.

The couple was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on the buying and selling of babies for exploitation under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

NAPTIP said the first convict sold her newborn baby for N300,000 to a buyer identified as Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large.

The agency also revealed that the couple purchased a one-year-old baby boy for N150,000 from two individuals and later resold the child for N400,000 to the same buyer.

The offences were contained in charge FHC/CA/19C/2025, filed on March 19, 2025.

Both defendants initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Delivering judgment on April 1, 2026, Justice I. Ojukwu sentenced each convict to 15 years in prison, with an option of a N2 million fine.

The court ordered that the sentences will run concurrently from the date of judgment.

Justice Ojukwu condemned the act and warned against child trafficking for financial gain.

The court also directed NAPTIP to arrest and prosecute the alleged buyer, Oluchi Judith, for her role in the crime.

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The ruling is part of ongoing efforts to curb human trafficking and child exploitation across Nigeria.