An Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State has heard how two minors were allegedly sold for N18,000 each and forced to hawk goods on the streets of Benin City, Edo State.
Two men, John Ushie, 32, and Innocent Ushie, 50, alongside a woman, Evelyn Innocent, 38, were arraigned on charges bordering on child trafficking, abduction and slavery.
Police prosecutor, Augustine Omheneimhen, told the court that the alleged offences occurred around 9 a.m. at Chama Street, Ute, Ondo State.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly lured the two boys, aged 15 and 17 at the time of trial, from a riverbank in November 2025 when they were 14 and 15 years old.
The victims reportedly said the suspects deceived them by claiming that their father wanted to see them in Ogbese.
They were first taken to Utesi, where they spent a night before being transported to Benin City in Edo State.
The court heard that the minors were allegedly sold for N18,000 each to the wife of one of the defendants’ brothers and later forced to hawk goods on the streets.
The victims further testified that they spent about four months in captivity and were separated for two months before allegedly being resold to another person for N76,000.