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The Digest:

A Federal High Court in Calabar has sentenced two men to 12 years imprisonment each for trafficking eight children, including some of their biological children, in Cross River State. Mabum Joseph Arisha and Mutashu Victor Mabum were found guilty on all 17 counts under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015. They were convicted of recruiting and transferring the children to one Ada Eze, who remains at large, for exploitation. Each convict was also fined ₦2 million on each count, with sentences to run concurrently.

Key Points:
  • The case highlights the disturbing reality of parents trafficking their own biological children for exploitation.
  • The convicts targeted children from their community, showing how trafficking networks operate within trusted circles.
  • The court ordered that one rescued victim be placed in state custody pending transfer to a responsible family member.
  • The accomplice, Ada Eze, remains at large, indicating the network may still be operational.
  • NAPTIP described the conviction as a significant step in combating child trafficking in Cross River State.
As the convicts begin their 12-year sentences, the case underscores the ongoing battle against child trafficking and the need for continued vigilance to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.

Sources: Vanguard News