Kareem Saibu, 39, a Benin Republic citizen has been sentenced to three years in prison by a Chief Magistrate’s court in Akure on Thursday, May 8, 2014 for attempting to sell his 13-year-old son for N8 million.
Abdullateef Mumuni and Kadir Rasaq also from Benin Republic who were his accomplice in the said crime also faced the same sentence.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adebanji Ayeomoni said the sentence was without any option of a fine.
He said, “Having found the three accused persons guilty of the two counts of conspiracy and attempt to sell a human being, the three are hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment each without an option of fine.”
The prosecutor ASP Zakari Ibrahim had disclosed to the court that the accused persons committed the crime on May 3, 2014 at about 6 p. m. in Ondo.
“Saibu brought his son from Cotonou, Benin Republic, to Nigeria to meet with the other accused persons, who live in Ibadan, to help him find buyers.
“According to him, luck ran out on 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.
“The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 516 of the Criminal Code cap 37 vol.1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006 and contrary to section 30 (1) and punishable under section 30 (3) 0f the 0ndo State Child Right Laws,2007,” he said.
