A High Court sitting in Aba, Abia state has sent four persons including a man and three women to various years in prison over child trafficking.
The four persons, Chinyere Ahamefula, Uchenna Alfred, Chika Eze and Akudo Alozie were said to have on July 21, 2009 with the connivance of the first the accused, one Ekwutosi Ogolo (who later died in the process of the prosecution), at Glorious Children’s Academy,Ogbor Hill, Aba stole one Master Light Ozioma David from the custody of his guardian.
According to a prosecution witness, the convicts on July 27, 2009, sold the little boy with the intention of using it for ritual purposes.
During the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Greg Chikezie told the court that kidnapping from guardianship and conspiracy were contrary to Section 19(1)(a) of the Trafficking in persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act (2003) and contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal code Cap 30 Vol. 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 as applicable in Abia State.
Defence counsels, N.N Eluwa for the 4th and 6th accused persons and K.E Obaji for the 2nd and 5th accused said the prosecution had failed to convince the court that their clients committed the crime for which they were accused of and prayed the court to strike out the matter for lack of diligent prosecution.
Delivering judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice Theresa U. Uzokwe of High Court 2, Aba said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The Judge sentenced the accused persons to 14 years in jail with hard labour on each charge except count 4 where 2nd and 3rd accused persons were sentenced to 10 years each.
The sentences are to run concurrently.