Court jails 2 men for trafficking biological kids, others in Calabar

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By Ike Uchechukwu

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CALABAR—The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Cross River State Command, has secured the conviction of two men for trafficking eight children, some of them their biological children, for exploitation.

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Mabum Arisha and Mutashu Mabum, both of Mfom 1 Village in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, were on Monday, found guilty on all 17 counts by a Federal High Court, Calabar.

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Trial judge was Justice L. Ojukwu.

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The convicts were charged for recruiting and handing over the eight children from their village to one Ada Eze (still at large) for exploitation.

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The charge was filed on August 16, 2024. The duo were arraigned on October 17, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to all counts. After a full trial, the court convicted them on every count.

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Arisha (1st convict) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of N2 million on each of counts 1 to 11. The terms of imprisonment are to run concurrently, effective from the date of judgment.

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Mabum (2nd convict) received 12 years imprisonment and a fine of N2 million on each of counts 12 to 17, also to run concurrently from the date of judgment.

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In addition, the court ordered that one of the rescued victims, Favour Arisha, recovered by NAPTIP from Lagos State, be placed in the temporary custody of the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development.

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She will remain there until handed over to a responsible family member who provides a satisfactory undertaking to care for her properly.

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