An Akure Magistrate's Court heard how two minors were sold for N18,000 each and forced to hawk goods on the streets of Benin City after being lured away from their homes in Ondo State. The boys, aged 14 and 15 when they were taken in November 2025, spent four months in captivity before police rescued them and reunited them with their families.
Three suspects faced the court on Wednesday: John Ushie, 32, Innocent Ushie, 50, and Evelyn Innocent, 38. They stand accused of child trafficking, abduction, and slavery under the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State. Police prosecutor Augustine Omheneimhen told Magistrate O. Lebi that the offences occurred at 1 Chama Street in Ute, Ondo State.
The prosecution said the two men lured the boys from a riverbank by claiming their father wanted to see them in Ogbese. Instead, they were taken to Utesi where they spent one night, then transported to Benin City. There, the boys were allegedly sold to the wife of one of the defendants' brothers for N18,000 each and given trays to hawk on the streets.
During the four months in captivity, the victims were separated for two months before being resold to another person for N76,000. The defendants later contacted the boys' parents and demanded N10,000 before police traced the children and brought them home. The court heard that the three accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Omheneimhen asked the court to remand the suspects in separate correctional facilities pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. He cited statements from the victims and the first defendant as evidence. Magistrate Lebi granted the request, ordering all three remanded in the correctional centre in Ondo City. The magistrate also directed that the case be transferred to the Family Magistrate Court in Akure for continuation.
The matter will be heard again on August 4, 2026.
