- Kano Court Remands Orphanage Owner Over Abduction of 600 Children
- The defendants allegedly conspired between June 21, 2016, and December 20, 2021, to abduct numerous children from Kano and sell them in Delta State
- Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, however, ordered that Christopher be remanded in a correctional facility
A Kano State High Court has ordered the remand of the owner of Asaba Orphanage Home, Mr. Ogugua Christopher, in a correctional facility over allegations of child abduction and trafficking involving more than 600 children reportedly taken from Kano to Delta State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the defendant, who resides in Asaba, Delta State, is facing trial alongside two others, Hauwa Abubakar and Nkechi Odlyne on a 15-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping, contrary to Sections 97 and 273 of the Kano State Penal Code, as well as Section 32(5) of the Children and Young Person’s Law of Kano State.
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According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired between June 21, 2016, and December 20, 2021, to abduct numerous children from Kano and sell them in Delta State.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the prosecution counsel and Kano State Solicitor-General, Mr. Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, informed the court that the first and second defendants, Abubakar and Odlyne, were absent despite repeated efforts to secure their attendance.
“My Lord, we have tried our possible best to ensure their appearance before this court. We sincerely tender our apology,” he said, urging the court to adjourn the case while requesting the remand of Christopher in a correctional centre pending further hearing.
Defence counsel, Mr. Gideon Uzo, pleaded that his client be kept in the custody of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) instead.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, however, ordered that Christopher be remanded in a correctional facility and directed NAPTIP to ensure the production of the two absent defendants at the next sitting.
The judge adjourned the matter until October 27, 2025, for further mention and commencement of trial.
The case stems from a petition filed in December 2022 by the Protection Against Abduction and Trafficking of Our Children (PATAMOC) to NAPTIP, alleging the disappearance of over 600 children from Kano since 2010, eight of whom have since been rescued.
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