How two Ondo boys were sold for N18,000 each – P.M. News

An Akure Justice of the Peace’s Courtroom in Ondo State has remanded three individuals accused of trafficking two teenage boys to Edo State, the place they were allegedly compelled into road hawking after being sold.

The defendants, John Ushie, 32, Harmless Ushie, 50, and Evelyn Harmless, 38, appeared earlier than the court docket on costs bordering on little one trafficking, abduction and slavery-related offences.

Police prosecutor Augustine Omheneimhen instructed the court docket that the incident occurred in November 2025 at Chama Avenue in Ute, Ondo State.

In accordance with the prosecution, the suspects allegedly approached the boys, who were then aged 14 and 15, at a riverbank and deceived them into following them with claims that their father wished to see them in Ogbese.

The minors, now aged 15 and 17, were reportedly taken first to Utesi, the place they spent the night time earlier than being moved to Benin Metropolis in Edo State.

The court docket heard that the boys were allegedly sold for N18,000 each to the spouse of one of many defendants’ brothers and compelled to hawk items on the streets.

Whereas giving proof, the victims stated they spent about 4 months in captivity. They additional alleged that they were separated for two months and later sold once more to a different particular person for N76,000.

The prosecutor additionally instructed the court docket that the suspects later contacted the mother and father of the boys and allegedly collected N10,000 earlier than police operatives traced the victims and reunited them with their households.

Omheneimhen stated the alleged offences contravened Sections 369 and 362 of the Legal Code Legislation of Ondo State and are punishable beneath Sections 369(2), (6) and (7).

All three defendants pleaded not responsible to the fees.

The prosecutor urged the court docket to remand them in separate correctional amenities pending authorized recommendation from the Director of Public Prosecutions, citing statements obtained from the victims and the primary defendant.

In her ruling, Justice of the Peace O. Lebi ordered that the defendants be remanded on the Ondo Metropolis correctional centre and adjourned the case till August 4, 2026.

The Justice of the Peace additionally directed that the matter be transferred to the Household Justice of the Peace Courtroom in Akure.