A couple, Anthony Igbinogun, and his girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, have been arrested by the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby to buy drugs.
Officials of the agency apprehended Igbinogun (48) and Umukoro (28) alongside their friend James Precious, who linked them with the baby’s buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident was made known by the Head of the Investigation Unit of the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Abigail Ihonre.
Ihonre noted that the lovers sold the baby for N1.7 million, according to the confession of the mother of the baby.
She said, “Investigation into the case continues as we intensify efforts to locate the baby and the buyers as the matter will be charged to Court on Monday, June 26, 2023, so that everyone culpable is made to face the wrath of the law for their criminal activities.
“Our investigations revealed that Joy Umukoro, delivered the baby in April 2023, and conspired with her boyfriend to sell their baby for N1.7 million.
“The suspects said they carried out the dastardly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby. These people are alleged drug addicts, and when it was clear that they couldn’t take care of the baby, they decided to sell him. But that wasn’t the best option for them, as the decision could destroy their lives. The penalty for trafficking is about seven years in prison.”
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In another news, a Sharia Court in Kano State on Friday ordered that two friends be remanded in a correctional centre for allegedly breaking into a shop and stealing 20 cartons of detergent.
The police charged Mustapha Dayyab,21, and Aminu Isah,23, all residents of Rijiyar Zaki Quarters Kano, with criminal conspiracy, shop breaking and theft.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Judge, Malam Umar Lawal-Abubakar, who ordered the remand, also adjourned the matter until July 10 for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Abdul Wada told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 18 in Abubakar Rimi market Kano.
He said the defendants broke into a shop belonging to Alhaji Abudulrazak Dayyib, the complainant and stole 20 cartons of detergent.
Wada said during the investigation, a bunch of keys were recovered from the defendants.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 239 and 287 of the Kano State Sharia Law.