The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has secured the conviction of a couple for trafficking in babies in Cross River State.
The convicts, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were sentenced to a combined 30 years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar.
It was gathered that both defendants are to serve 15 years each.
According to a statement released 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 conviction followed proceedings in the case marked FHC/CA/19C/2025, instituted on March 19, 2025.
NAPTIP stated that the first convict sold her newborn baby to a buyer identified as Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large, for N300,000.
It further revealed that the couple also purchased a one-year-old baby boy for N150,000 from two individuals and later resold the child to the same buyer for N400,000.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges during trial.
Delivering judgment on April 1, 2026, the trial judge, Justice I. Ojukwu, sentenced each of the convicts to 15 years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N2m fine.
The court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently from the date of judgment.
Justice Ojukwu condemned the offence and cautioned members of the public against engaging in child trafficking for financial gain.
The court also directed NAPTIP to apprehend the alleged buyer, Oluchi Judith, for prosecution over her involvement in the crime.