Herbal seller arraigned for allegedly selling newborn baby for N150,000 in Osun

An Osogbo-based herbal seller, Ganiyat Oladapo on Monday appeared before an Osun State Chief Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly selling a newborn baby for N150,000.

The defendant who was said to have committed the offence in June last year was arraigned on two counts charge bordering on child trafficking, conspiracy and illegal procurement.

She was said to have taken one pregnant woman, Mariam Oladapo who was in her custody and was in search of greener pasture to Anambra State where she taught her how to hawk herb on the streets of the town.

However, when the pregnant woman gave birth to a baby, the defendant sold the newborn baby for N150,000.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Jacob Akintunde, informed the court that the defendant committed the act sometime in June 2020.

The charges read in part, “sometime in June 2020 at Osogbo, you conspired and procured one Mariam Oladapo from Osogbo to Anambra State where her child was sold for N150,000, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 14(2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003.”

Though the defendant pleaded not guilty to charges, her counsel, Taiwo Awokule, also prayed the court to grant her bail.

In her ruling, the magistrate, Modupe Awodele, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties and adjourned the matter till February 9, 2020.

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