Court remands 3 for alleged child trafficking in Port Harcourt

A Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, remanded three suspects on 3 counts of conspiracy, stealing and attempted trafficking of a 5-year-old minor identified as Baba Musa.

The suspects include: Blessing Kelvin, Blessing Chima, and Chima Kanu.

According to the charges read out in court, the suspects were alleged to have on the 11th of July, 2022, at Ibadan Water Front in Port Harcourt Township conspired amongst themselves to steal and traffick the 5-year-old minor from the custody of the mother.

When the charges were read, the 1st defendant, Blessing Kelvin pleaded guilty, while 2nd and 3rd defendants, Blessing Chima and Chima Kanu, respectively, pleaded not guilty to the charges

Their counsel subsequently applied for their bail, which was opposed by the prosecutor.

Chief Magistrate, Rita Ogugua after listening to the argument, adjourned to August 4, 2022 for facts and sentencing of the 1st defendant who has pleaded guilty.

The trial of the 2nd and 3rd defendants is also expected to begin on the same adjourned date.