An Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State has remanded three people over the alleged trafficking of two teenage boys who were sold for N18,000 each and forced to hawk goods in Benin City.
The defendants — John Ushie, 32; Innocent Ushie, 50; and Evelyn Innocent, 38 — face charges of child trafficking, abduction, and slavery. Police prosecutor Augustine Omheneimhen told the court the incident began around 9 a.m. at 1 Chama Street, Ute, Ondo State.
According to testimony, the two boys, now 15 and 17, were 14 and 15 when they were lured from a riverbank in November 2025. The suspects allegedly tricked them by saying their father wanted to see them in Ogbese.
The victims were first taken to Utesi for a night before being moved to Benin City, Edo State. There, they were sold for N18,000 each to the wife of one of the defendants’ brothers and given trays to hawk on the streets.
The boys said they spent four months in captivity and were separated for two months before being resold to another person for N76,000. The defendants later contacted the parents and collected N10,000 before police traced and reunited the boys with their families.
The offences contravene Section 369 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State and are punishable under Sections 369(2)(6)(7) and 362. All three pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor asked the court to remand them in separate correctional facilities pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.