A couple in Cross River State were found guilty of baby trafficking by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
The Federal High Court in Calabar sentenced the convicts, Eyo Stephen Udo, 34, and Esther Ini Udo, 32, to 15 years in prison.
In violation of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, the couple was charged with four counts of buying and selling infants for exploitation, according to a statement released by NAPTIP on Thursday.
“Today, April 1st, 2026, Cross State Command Secured two (2) convictions in FRN VS ESTHER INI UDO & EYO STEPHEN UDO – CHARGE NO. FHC/CA/19C/2025,” the statement said. In violation of Sections 13(4)(a)(c) & (e), 21, and 27 of the TIPPEA Act, 2015, the prisoners were charged with four counts of buying and selling babies for exploitation.
For N300,000.00 (three hundred thousand naira only), the first prisoner sold her infant child to Oluchi Judith, who is currently at large. Additionally, the two convicts paid N150,000.00 (one hundred and fifty thousand naira only) to Blessing and Uduak (both convicts) for a one-year-old boy, which they then resold to Oluchi Judith for N400,000.00 (four hundred thousand naira only).
The charge filed on March 19, 2025, with the number FHC/CA/19C/2025, was based on the offenses, according to the statement.
To the allegations, the pair entered a not guilty plea.
On April 1, 2026, trial judge Justice I. Ojukwu condemned Esther Udo to 15 years in prison and a N2 million fine.
Eyo Udo, her spouse, was also given a 15-year prison sentence with the possibility of a N2 million fine.
The court decided that starting on the date of judgment, the sentences will be served concurrently.
Justice Ojukwu denounced the act and cautioned the people not to participate in child trafficking for profit.
In addition, the court ordered NAPTIP to detain Oluchi Judith, the purported buyer, so that she could be charged with trafficking.
