Kano Court jails 6 for 120 years over child abduction, trafficking

A Kano State High Court has handed down a combined sentence of 120 years to six individuals convicted of being part of a notorious child abduction and trafficking syndicate.

The convicts Mercy Paul, Ebere Ogbono, Emmanuel Igwe, Loise Duru, Monica Oracha, and Chinelo Ifedigwe were found guilty on multiple counts, including concealment, abetment, kidnapping, and trafficking of minors, all under the age of 10.

According to court proceedings, the syndicate abducted children from various parts of Kano State and trafficked them to Onitsha, Anambra State, where they were reportedly sold.

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The syndicate leader, Mr. Paul Onwe, was previously sentenced to 104 years in July 2021 after pleading guilty to 38 counts. The six co-defendants, however, pleaded not guilty and were subsequently tried.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who presided over the case, found all six guilty as charged and sentenced them to various prison terms without the option of a fine.

She sentenced Mercy Paul to 55 years imprisonment, Ebere Ogbono to 41 years, Emmanuel Igwe to 9 years, Loius Duru to 6 years, Monica Oracha to 5 years, and Chinelo Ifedigwe to 9 years.

The group was arrested in 2019, and the final judgment has brought to a close a six-year-long trial that shocked the public and drew attention to child trafficking in Nigeria.