Summary: After 11 years of prosecution, NAPTIP secures conviction of Ondo couple operating baby factory. The duo receives 14-year sentence, assets forfeited, and victims compensated in landmark human trafficking case.
After more than a decade of painstaking prosecution, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has finally secured a major conviction that sends a strong message to human traffickers across Nigeria.
On February 26, 2025, Justice F.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, sentenced Ogundeji Happiness Ayodele and her husband, Prince Ogundeji Abiodun, to 14 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for operating an illegal baby factory.
The Dark Discovery in Okitipupa
The story began in 2014 when the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) referred a suspicious case to NAPTIP. What investigators uncovered at 10 Sarajo Street, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State was deeply disturbing.
The premises, registered as a care home, was actually a baby factory where underage pregnant girls were held against their will. These vulnerable young women were kept in detention until they gave birth, after which their babies were sold to interested buyers.
When NAPTIP officers raided the facility, they discovered evidence that painted a picture of a well-organized criminal enterprise. Investigators recovered numerous hospital antenatal cards, eight vehicles with their keys, and a shocking N4 million hidden in the trunk of one of the cars. The couple’s ill-gotten wealth also included two bungalows, a poultry farm, and other valuable assets.
A Landmark Victory After 11 Years
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, March 3, 2025, NAPTIP’s Lagos Zone Commander, Mrs. Comfort Agboko, described the judgment as “a landmark victory in the fight against human trafficking.”
The couple was convicted on a 10-count charge under Section 19(c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003.
Beyond the prison sentences, the court ordered the forfeiture of all eight cars, two bungalows, and the N4 million recovered during investigation to the Federal Government through NAPTIP. Additionally, other properties belonging to the convicts will be auctioned, with N1 million each awarded as compensation to the three victims who testified during the trial.
The Challenges of Prosecuting Human Trafficking Cases
Mrs. Agboko candidly revealed the difficulties NAPTIP faces in bringing traffickers to justice, explaining why it took 11 years to secure this conviction.
“It takes determination to prosecute TIP (Trafficking in Persons) cases,” she said. “Because NAPTIP does not have assigned courts for our cases, most times, some of our cases in court start all over when a judge is posted out of a particular jurisdiction.”
She detailed other challenges, including difficulty accessing witnesses who testified initially when cases restart, and intimidation by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) hired by wealthy defendants.
“During such periods, we find it difficult to even have access to the witnesses, that is the victims that initially testified,” Mrs. Agboko explained. “We also have situations where these prosecutors are being intimidated by SANs.”
Despite these obstacles, NAPTIP officers remain committed to their mission. “NAPTIP officers have been trained in such a way that no matter the intimidation or inconveniences, you must hold your head,” she said. “If we succeed in saving one life, two lives, we have affected humanity.”
The Road Ahead
NAPTIP is currently sensitizing and educating judges on the importance of handling human trafficking cases as a priority. The agency is also pushing for special courts dedicated to TIP cases, which would significantly speed up prosecutions.
Mrs. Agboko revealed that Lagos alone currently has more than 50 cases pending at federal high courts. However, she expressed optimism that with the establishment of State Taskforces and the involvement of state Attorneys General, there is growing understanding among judges in state High Courts about the urgency of these cases.
A Warning to Traffickers
The Commander used the conviction to send a clear warning to human traffickers across Nigeria: “The law will eventually catch up with them, no matter how long it takes, or how highly placed they are.”
She commended the judiciary, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police in Akure, and other partners for their support throughout the 11-year trial. She also thanked the media for sustained coverage of the case.
Call for Public Support
Mrs. Agboko urged Nigerians to support NAPTIP’s efforts to combat human trafficking across the country. Every Nigerian has a role to play in reporting suspicious activities and protecting vulnerable members of society, especially young women and children.
This conviction represents not just justice for the three victims who received compensation, but hope for countless others who have suffered at the hands of human traffickers. It proves that no matter how long it takes, Nigeria’s justice system can deliver accountability.
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