The Federal High Court, Calabar Judicial Division, has convicted two persons, Mabum Joseph Arisha and Mutashu Victor Mabum, for trafficking eight children for exploitation purposes.
Each of them were sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The convicts, Mabum Joseph Arisha and Mutashu Victor Mabum, both residents of Mfom 1 village in Ogoja local government area of Cross River state, were prosecuted on a 17-count charge bordering on human trafficking.
The children were reportedly rescued by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the agency which prosecuted the case in FRN vs. Mabum Joseph Arisha & Mutashu Victor Mabum.
NAPTIP official, who preferred anonymity, told our reporter that the duo trafficked eight children from their community and handed them over to a suspect identified as Ada Eze, who is currently at large, for exploitation.
“Some of the victims were biological children of the convicts, while others belonged to their neighbours, highlighting the depth of the abuse within the community.
The offences contravene relevant provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015,” he said.
Although the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned in October 2024, the court found them guilty on all 17 counts after trial.
Delivering judgment, Justice L. I. Ojukwu sentenced Mabum Joseph Arisha to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of N2 million on each of counts one to 11. Similarly, Mutashu Victor Mabum was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of N2 million on each of counts 12 to 17.
The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently take effect from the date of judgment. The court also made an order concerning one of the rescued victims, identified as Favour Arisha.
The child, who was said to have been rescued by NAPTIP operatives from Lagos state, is to be placed under the custody of the Cross River state government through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development.
The court further directed that the victim should remain in government care until she could be handed over to a responsible family member who would undertake to ensure her proper welfare.