•Abiodun Ogundeji and Happiness Ogundeji
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 yesterday.
Agboko said the conviction followed an 11-year trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, reports The PUNCH.
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.
Agboko disclosed that NAPTIP obtained a court order on May 12, 2014, from the Federal High Court in Akure to seal and seize the properties found within the premises.
She further stated that after years of prosecution, Justice F. A. Olubanjo found the defendants guilty on a 10-count charge bordering on unlawful detention of victims and deprivation of personal liberty, contrary to Section 19(c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003.
“The convicts, Ogundeji Happiness Ayodele (female) and Prince Ogundeji Abiodun (male), were on Thursday, February 26, 2026, sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine by the Federal High Court in Akure,” she said.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the eight cars and two bungalows traced to the convicts as proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria through NAPTIP.
Agboko added that the N4m recovered during the investigation was also forfeited to the Federal Government.
“The court further ordered that the properties of the convicts be auctioned and directed that N1m each be paid as restitution to the three victims who testified during the trial,” she said.
Describing the judgment as a landmark achievement, Agboko said it would serve as a strong deterrent to human traffickers.
“This is a landmark conviction that sends a clear warning to perpetrators of human trafficking that, no matter how long it takes, they will eventually face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
She commended the judiciary, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police in Akure and other stakeholders for their support in securing the conviction.
The conviction adds to a growing list of successes recorded by NAPTIP in its fight against human trafficking nationwide.
