The Federal High Court in Calabar has sentenced Patience Nyong Okon, 25, and Michael Peter Ofem, 32, to 12 months’ imprisonment each with an option of a ₦100,000 fine for the abduction and attempted sale of a 12-year-old girl in Cross River State.
Justice L.I. Ojukwu delivered the judgment on February 2, 2026, in Charge No. FHC/CA/54C/2025, convicting the duo on all four counts under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. The case was initiated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 22, 2025, and the defendants initially pleaded not guilty before changing their plea to guilty on January 28, 2026.
Court records showed that the couple, who were in a relationship, abducted the victim, Praise Ojating Ichire, from the 8 Miles area of Calabar Municipality, exploiting her vulnerability and attempting to sell her. The court directed that the child be released to verified relatives to ensure her safety and proper care.
The conviction underscores the commitment of law enforcement and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP to protect children and combat human trafficking in Nigeria.
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