Two men jailed 12 years each for trafficking eight children in Cross River

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By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

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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, including some of their biological children.

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The convicts, Mabum Joseph Arisha and Mutashu Victor Mabum, both from Mfom 1 Village in Ogoja Local Government Area, were on Monday, March 23, 2026, found guilty on all 17 counts by the Federal High Court in Calabar, presided over by Justice L. I. Ojukwu.

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They were prosecuted under Sections 13(2)(b), 13(4)(c), 21, and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) 2015, for recruiting and transferring the eight children to one Ada Eze, who is currently at large, for the purpose of exploitation.

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According to the prosecution, some of the victims were the biological children of the convicts, while others were children from their community.

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The charge was filed on August 16, 2024, and the defendants were arraigned on October 17, 2024, where they pleaded not guilty. Following a full trial, the court found them guilty on all counts.

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Delivering judgment, Justice Ojukwu sentenced Mabum Joseph Arisha to 12 years imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦2,000,000 on each of counts 1 to 11. The prison terms are to run concurrently from the date of judgment.

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Mutashu Victor Mabum was also sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined ₦2,000,000 on each of counts 12 to 17, with the sentences to run concurrently from the same date.

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In addition, the court ordered that one of the rescued victims, Favour Arisha, who was recovered by NAPTIP in 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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The court directed that she remain in state care pending her transfer to a responsible family member who will undertake to provide proper care.

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NAPTIP described the conviction as a significant step in ongoing efforts to combat child trafficking in Cross River State.

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