The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a couple involved in baby trafficking in Cross River State.
The offenders, Esther Ini Udo, 32, and Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, were sentenced to 15 years in prison each by the Federal High Court in Calabar.
According to a statement released by the agency on Thursday, the couple faced a four-count charge related to the buying and selling of babies for exploitation, in violation of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
The statement read, “Today, the 1st day of April, 2026, Cross State Command Secured two(2) convictions in FRN VS ESTHER INI UDO & EYO STEPHEN UDO – CHARGE NO. FHC/CA/19C/2025. The convicts were charged with 4 counts charge bordering on buying and selling of babies for exploitation contrary to Ss. 13(4)(a)(c) & (e), 21 and 27 of TIPPEA Act, 2015.
“The 1st convict sold her newborn baby to one Oluchi Judith, who is at large for the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only). Also, the two Convicts bought a 1-year-old baby boy for the sum of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) from Blessing and Uduak (both Convicts) and resold the said baby to the same Oluchi Judith for the sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only.”
The agency noted that the offences formed the basis of the charge marked FHC/CA/19C/2025, filed on March 19, 2025.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In his ruling on April 1, 2026, Justice I. Ojukwu sentenced Esther Udo to 15 years imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine, while her husband received the same sentence with a similar fine option.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently from the date of judgment.
Justice Ojukwu also condemned the crime and warned the public against engaging in child trafficking for financial gain.
Additionally, the court directed NAPTIP to apprehend the alleged buyer, Oluchi Judith, who remains at large, for prosecution over her role in the trafficking activities.
