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Human Trafficking: Man Who Sold One-month-old Baby For N1.7m Arrested In Edo

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intensifies search for baby, buyer

The Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking has apprehended a 48-year-old man, Anthony Igbinogun, and his girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, 28, for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby to fund their drug addiction.

The suspects were arrested with their friend, 26-year-old Precious James, who allegedly facilitated the illegal transaction and linked them to the baby’s buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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In a statement made available to newsmen, the Head of the Investigation Unit of the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Abigail Ihonre, said the baby was sold for N1.7 million, noting that investigation is ongoing to rescue the baby and apprehend the buyer of the one-month-old child.

According to Ihonre, “Our investigations revealed that Joy Umukoro, the mother of the baby, delivered the baby in April 2023, and conspired with her boyfriend to sell their baby for N1.7 million. She has confessed to the crime of selling the baby.”

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She noted, “Investigation into the case continues as we intensify efforts to locate the buyers and the baby as the matter will be charged to Court latest on Monday 26th, June 2023, so that everyone culpable is made to face the wrath of the law for their criminal activities.

“The suspects said they carried out the dastardly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby. These people are alleged drug addicts and when it was clear that they couldn’t take care of the baby, they decided to sell him. But that wasn’t the best option for them as the decision may destroy their lives.

“The penalty for trafficking is about seven years in prison. I urge those that can’t take care of their babies not to sell but bring such to the office of Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking as we collaborate with the Ministry of Gender and Women Affairs or take the baby to other agencies that take care of children. Selling that child is not a good option as the outcome may end you in prison.”

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But the baby’s mother, Joy Umukoro said they sold the one-month-old baby to a willing buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for N700,000, noting that N500,000 was paid in cash; N170,000 was given to the agent that took her to the buyer, while others were used for drugs.

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According to her, “After giving birth to the baby, life became very difficult and I approached my friend to help me with a buyer and she gave me the link. I traveled to Port Harcourt with another woman and sold the baby for seven hundred thousand naira. The drugs I take are the cause. I also sent some money to my other two children for upkeep and some others for my father’s burial.”

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On his part, Igbinogun, the baby’s father, said: “We stayed together and gave birth to the baby and the mother said she can’t take care of the baby. She told me that her friend Precious James has found a buyer and she traveled to Rivers State to sell the baby and when she returned she gave me N100,000.”

Also, Precious James, who facilitated the illegal deal, said they all are drug addicts and couldn’t take care of the baby, adding, “My friend told me she sold the baby for seven hundred thousand naira and when she came back bought drugs for me from the money.”

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Cherryland, Unifield, Divine Pattern Schools Shine At ITV 2025 Quiz, Debate And Essay Competition

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Winners in the various categories.

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin 

Cherryland Royal School, Divine Pattern Schools, and Unifield International School, on Friday, 4th July, 2025 won the Independent Radio and Television 2025 Interschool Quiz, Debate and Essay Competition in their respective categories.

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The Essay Competition, with the topic: ‘There has Been a Growing Incidence of Gambling Amongst Youth in Your Country. Write an Article Suitable for Publication in a National Newspaper Stating Three Probable Causes, and Suggesting how this Problem can be Cured,’ was won by Oghogho Triumph of Divine Pattern Schools, while Eczema Praise of Cherryland Royal School emerged winner in the debate category with the topic: ‘The Youths of Today Are More Interested in the Pursuit of Pleasure than in Academic Work.’

The quiz, which was competed by primary pupils from various schools was won by Victory Ighotomare of
Unifield International High School.

Winners in the various categories in group photograph with the management of ITV/Radio

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Chief of Staff to Edo State Government (office of the deputy governor), Hon. Pius Alile, while recalling his primary school days, pledged scholarship to university level for winners in the various categories.

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Alile urged the students and pupils to desist from social vices and face their studies, stressing that it’s through education that they can actualise their dreams in life.

In his short remarks, Managing Director, ITV/Radio, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, urged the students and pupils present at the event to face their studies, and above all be disciplined and well behaved.

He stressed that no matter how a student may be brilliant in life, such a student needs discipline to navigate through the journey of life, adding “no matter how intelligent you are, you must be well behaved and disciplined. This will take you far in life.”

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The MD, who told the students and pupils that they cannot all be winners at the same time, said being present at the event, they are expected to take one or two lessons back home from the event.

READ ALSO: ITV Lauded For Grassroot Reportage 

Engr. Obaseki, who said “it’s not too good that none of our public schools are here,” promised, “next year, we will make everything humanly possible to bring our public schools so that the competition will be more interesting and fierce.”

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Also speaking, Chairman, organising committee of the event, Dr. Sunny Duke, while expressing joy at the large turnout of schools in this year’s competition, thanked the management and staff of ITV/Radio for their support, and in particular the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for creating the platform (ITV/Radio) through which young ones can actualise their dreams.

He also thanked the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Alile for offering the winners in the various categories scholarship, stressing that it has been his prayer and wish.

Where I am today is because of the scholarship I won in JSS 2 back then. And today, that ambition and dream has been fulfilled with the scholarship for the winners of the quiz, debate and essay competition by Hon. Pius Alile, I’m overwhelmed,” Duke said.

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The event was spiced up with dance competition amongst students and pupils, and on the other hand amongst teachers, and other side attractions.

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Ex-gov Ohakim, IGP, Others Win Fundamental Rights Suit

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In a judgment certified on 26th June 2025 and obtained by this reporter,

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Hon. Justice Binta Mohammed of the High Court of the Federal Capital has dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by one Lady Chinyere Lilian Amuchinwa on 4th May 2022 against six parties, including a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Alaikum; and the Inspector-General of Police.

The judgment was certified on 26th June 2025 and obtained by newsmen

The suit stemmed from Lady Amechinwa’s claims that Dr Ikedi Ohakim and another party instigated the police to detain her at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in July 2021 over what was not stated in the suit.

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Her claim is not unconnected with some unsubstantiated allegations she had earlier levelled against Ohakim , and for which the former Governor was exonerated.

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The defendants, had in their replies, said the suit was devoid of cause of action and an abuse of the process of the court, “the suit having been filed after other similar suits were being pursued elsewhere by Lady Amuchinwa against Dr Ohakim.”

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They cited the other suits as a fundamental rights suit in Imo High Court Owerri; an appeal at Owerri Division of court of appeal court; and charges filed at Federal High Court, Abuja, all of which the court noted were either dismissed or struck out against Lady Amuchinwa.

Delivering judgment on the suit Justice Mohammed held that: “From the unchallenged and uncontroverted evidence in this suit, it is established that the Applicant/Respondent, has commenced a multiplicity of action involving the same set of fact and the same persons therefore constituting an abuse of the judicial process. Therefore this issue is resolved in favour of the 1st 3rd and 4th Applicant/respondent as well as the 5th Respondents/Applicants.”

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In conclusion the preliminary objection of the 1st 3rd 4th and 5th Respondents/Applicant succeeded accordingly, the suit filed by the Applicant/Respondent for Enforcement of Fundamental Right on 4/5/22 is hereby dismissed.

“The Applicant has failed to establish a cause of action against the 6th Respondent as nothing remotely connects him to the suit of the Applicant, his name is accordingly struck out from the suit.

“There will be no need to consider and determine the Applicant suit the preliminary objections to the suit having succeeded and the suit dismissed”, the Court ordered.

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Constitution Amendment: South-East Demands Rotational Presidency, Legislative Seats For Women

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The people of the South-East have demanded a constitution that allows for the rotation of the presidency and grants full autonomy to Local Governments in the country.

They requested the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the Senate on Friday in Enugu.

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Speaking during the exercise, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State noted that the concept of a rotational presidency was paramount to the Southeast.

The governor said the state believed that adopting a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones, this would provide every region, including the Southeast, a fair chance at the nation’s highest office.

\Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the idea would foster a greater sense of belonging and national unity.

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Similarly, the governorship should rotate among senatorial zones, and legislative seats should be allocated among constituencies, ensuring broader representation and participation at all levels of governance.

To further enhance inclusivity, particularly for women, we propose legislative seats. We advocate for one additional Senate seat per state for women and two additional House of Representatives seats per state.

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“As a state, we advocate for three additional assembly seats per state for women.

“This measure will significantly boost gender parity and ensure active participation of women in governance and in decision-making processes,” Mbah said.

The governor also called for the institutionalisation of Local Government Councils as a truly autonomous form of government team.

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According to him, the current practice where state governors meant for local governments and appoint caretaker committees instead of elected representatives and hinder grassroots development.

We urge the committee to reinforce section1999 constitution to ensure the democratic existence of local governments, allowing them to directly access their funds from the national consolidated account,” Mbah said.

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The governor equally called for legislative powers, enhancements, and fiscal reforms that would devolve more powers and resources to the states.

He stressed that the current concentration of power at the centre, a legacy of the military rule, had stifled the growth and development of sub-national entities.

A true federal system requires that states are autonomous entities with sufficient powers and resources to positively impact the lives of their citizens,” he concluded.

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On his part, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State called for the creation of an additional state in the Southeast to bring them on par with other geopolitical zones of the country.

Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Moses Odunwa, also called a for women’s inclusiveness and reserved political seats for women.

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If a particular seat has been designated for women, all the parties will feature women candidates to fill in the space,” he said.

The public hearing was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, NGOs, and civil society organisations.
(VANGUARD)

 

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