Akure Magistrate Court Remands Three Over Alleged Child Trafficking of Minors Sold for ₦18,000
The Akure Magistrate’s Court has commenced proceedings in a disturbing case involving allegations of child trafficking and abduction.
Three defendants: John Ushie (32), Innocent Ushie (50), and Evelyn Innocent (38) — were arraigned on charges bordering on trafficking in persons, unlawful abduction, and exploitation of minors.
According to the prosecution led by ASP Augustine Omheneimhen, the offences were allegedly committed at about 9:00 a.m. on No. 1 Chama Street, Ute, Ondo State. The defendants are accused of luring two boys, aged 14 and 15 at the time, from a riverbank in November 2025 under the false pretext that their father wished to see them in Ogbese.
The minors were reportedly taken first to Utesi, where they spent a night, before being transported to Benin City, Edo State. There, they were allegedly sold for ₦18,000 each to the wife of one of the defendants’ brothers and compelled to hawk goods on the streets.
Victim testimony revealed that the boys remained in captivity for about four months, during which they were separated for two months and later resold to another buyer for ₦76,000. The defendants allegedly extorted ₦10,000 from the victims’ parents before police intervention led to their rescue and reunification with their families.
The prosecution submitted that the alleged acts contravene Section 369 and are punishable under Sections 369(2)(6)(7) and 362 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State.
All three defendants entered pleas of not guilty. The prosecutor urged the court to remand them in separate correctional facilities pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), citing the victims’ statements and the confession of the first defendant.
Presiding Magistrate O.T. Lebi ordered the remand of the accused persons at the Ondo City Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to 4 August 2026. The court further directed that the case be transferred to the Family Magistrate Court, Akure, for proper adjudication.
