The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has secured a 14-year jail term for a couple, Abiodun Ogundeji and Happiness Ogundeji, for operating a baby factory in Ilutitun, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Lagos Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Comfort Agboko, disclosed this during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday.
Agboko said the conviction followed an 11-year trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
According to her, the case was initially referred to NAPTIP by the Nigerian Immigration Service in January 2014, which led to a detailed investigation.
She explained that preliminary findings revealed that the convicts operated the illegal baby factory at their country home located at No. 10 Sarajo Street, Ilutitun.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the two convicts operated a baby factory at their country home, where underage pregnant girls were brought in and detained against their will, deliberately awaiting delivery of their babies for sale to customers,” Agboko said.
She added that a search of the premises uncovered several items, including hospital cards, eight cars with their keys, two bungalows, N4m in cash found in the trunk of one of the vehicles, a poultry farm and various domestic animals.
