Three arraigned in Ondo over alleged sale of minors for N18,000 each

Three persons have been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court over the alleged trafficking and sale of two minors who were reportedly forced into street hawking in Benin City.

The defendants — John Ushie, 32, Innocent Ushie, 50, and Evelyn Innocent, 38 — are facing charges of child trafficking, abduction and slavery-related offences.

Police prosecutor Augustine Omheneimhen told the court that the incident occurred in November 2025 at Chama Street, Ute, in Ondo State.

According to the victims, who are now aged 15 and 17, the defendants approached them at a riverbank and deceived them into leaving by claiming their father wanted to see them in Ogbese.

The boys said they were taken to Utesi, where they spent the night, before being transported to Benin City.

They further alleged that they were sold for N18,000 each to a woman said to be related to one of the defendants and were forced to hawk goods on the streets.

The court heard that the minors remained in captivity for about four months and were separated for two months before allegedly being resold to another buyer for N76,000.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants later demanded and collected N10,000 from the victims’ parents before the police tracked down the suspects and reunited the boys with their families.

The alleged offences violate Section 369 and are punishable under Sections 369(2)(6)(7) and 362 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty.

Omheneimhen urged the court to remand the suspects pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, saying the request was supported by statements from the victims and one of the accused persons.

Magistrate O. Lebi ordered the remand of the defendants at the Ondo City correctional centre and adjourned the matter to August 4, 2026.

The case was also transferred to the Family Magistrate Court in Akure.

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