An Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State is hearing allegations that two teenage boys were sold for N18,000 apiece and forced to hawk goods on the streets of Benin City, Edo State.
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Three suspects John Ushie, 32, Innocent Ushie, 50, and Evelyn Innocent, 38 have been arraigned on charges of child trafficking, abduction, and enslavement.
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According to police prosecutor Augustine Omheneimhen, the offences took place around 9 a.m. at 1 Chama Street, Ute, Ondo State. The defendants allegedly lured the two boys who were 14 and 15 at the time from a riverbank in November 2025, deceiving them with claims that their father wanted to see them in Ogbese.
The victims were first taken to Utesi, where they spent a night, before being transported to Benin City. There, they were allegedly handed over to the wife of one of the defendants’ brothers for N18,000 each and given trays to sell goods on the streets.
The boys, now aged 15 and 17, testified that they endured roughly four months in captivity, during which they were separated for two months before being resold to another individual for N76,000.
The charges are brought under Section 369 and are punishable under Sections 369(2)(6)(7) and 362 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Omheneimhen urged the court to remand them in separate correctional facilities pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, pointing to statements from the victims and the first defendant as grounds for the request.
Magistrate O. Lebi ordered their remand at the correctional centre in Ondo City and adjourned the case to August 4, 2026
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