How two Ondo boys were sold for N18,000 each

An Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State has remanded three persons accused of trafficking two teenage boys to Edo State, where they were allegedly forced into street hawking after being sold.

The defendants, John Ushie, 32, Innocent Ushie, 50, and Evelyn Innocent, 38, appeared before the court on charges bordering on child trafficking, abduction and slavery-related offences.

Police prosecutor Augustine Omheneimhen told the court that the incident occurred in November 2025 at Chama Street in Ute, Ondo State.

According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly approached the boys, who were then aged 14 and 15, at a riverbank and deceived them into following them with claims that their father wished to see them in Ogbese.

The minors, now aged 15 and 17, were reportedly taken first to Utesi, where they spent the night before being moved to Benin City in Edo State.

The court heard that the boys were allegedly sold for N18,000 each to the wife of one of the defendants’ brothers and compelled to hawk goods on the streets.

While giving evidence, the victims said they spent about four months in captivity. They further alleged that they were separated for two months and later sold again to another individual for N76,000.

The prosecutor also told the court that the suspects later contacted the parents of the boys and allegedly collected N10,000 before police operatives traced the victims and reunited them with their families.

Omheneimhen said the alleged offences contravened Sections 369 and 362 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State and are punishable under Sections 369(2), (6) and (7).

All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand them in separate correctional facilities pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, citing statements obtained from the victims and the first defendant.

In her ruling, Magistrate O. Lebi ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ondo City correctional centre and adjourned the case until August 4, 2026.

The magistrate also directed that the matter be transferred to the Family Magistrate Court in Akure.