The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced two persons for human trafficking and the attempted sale of a 12-year-old girl in a case that has drawn attention to child protection efforts in the state.
Justice L. I. Ojukwu of Court 1 handed down a 12-month prison term on each of the convicts, Patience Nyong Okon, 25, and Michael Peter Ofem, 32, with an option of a N100,000 fine. The sentences are to run concurrently from the date of their arrest.
The court found that the two traffickers attempted to transport the minor, identified as Praise Ojating Ichire, from the 8 Miles area of Calabar using abduction, deception and exploitation of the child’s vulnerability in a bid to sell her.
The matter was filed on May 22, 2025, under Charge No. FHC/CA/54C/2025. The defendants were arraigned on June 19, 2025, where they initially pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge. However, on January 28, 2026, both accused persons changed their pleas to guilty on all counts. On February 2, 2026, the court convicted them accordingly.
The charges bordered on human trafficking and attempted sale of persons, offences punishable under Sections 13(2)(b), 27 and 29 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.
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In addition to the sentence, Justice Ojukwu ordered that the victim be released to her relatives only after proper verification to ensure they are fit and suitable to care for her.
The conviction highlights renewed efforts by authorities in Cross River State and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to curb human trafficking, child abuse and the illegal sale of minors. Law enforcement agencies have continued to intensify surveillance and prosecution in cases involving vulnerable children, as part of a broader campaign to dismantle trafficking networks operating within and beyond the state.
