TheCable

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure has sentenced three citizens of  Benin Republic to three years in prison for attempting to sell a 13-year-old boy.

The accused comprise Kareem Saibu, 39, who is the boy’s father; Abdullateef Mumuni, 24; and Kadir Rasaq, also 24; who all conspired to sell the minor for N8 million.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Zakari Ibrahim, the father brought the boy from Cotonou in Benin Republic to Nigeria to meet with the other accused persons, who live at Ibadan, to help him find buyers.

He said luck ran out for the accused when they contacted someone in Ondo town, who in turn informed the Police about their intention.

‘”Their contact in Ondo pretended to be interested in the deal and he kept negotiating with them until the arrival of the Police,” Ibrahim said.

The accused were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to sell a human being. They all pleaded guilty to the offence.

The chief magistrate, Mr Adebanji Ayeomoni, sentenced each of them without an option of fine.

”Having found the three accused guilty on the two counts of conspiracy and attempt to sell a human being, the three are hereby sentenced to three years in prison each without an option of fine.’’

According to him, the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 516 of the Criminal Code cap 37 vol.1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006 which is  also contrary to section 30 (1) and punishable under section 30 (3) 0f the 0ndo State Child Right Laws, 2007.