A Chief Magistrate Court in Minna, has sentenced a man to five years imprisonment for attempting to sell his nine-year-old son for N10 million.
The accused, Isa Aliyu, 30, was said to have contacted one Magaji Atiku on November 15, 2013, with the intention of giving out his son in exchange for N10 million.
On realizing that Aliyu was serious about selling his child even after he had prized it down to N7 million to which the accused person agreed, Mogaji secretly contacted the police following which Aliyu, was promptly arrested.
Aliyu, who was subsequently charged to court under the Niger state Child’s Right Act, pleaded guilty to the charges read to him.
On why he wanted to sell his son, Aliyu said, “The level of poverty in the country is very biting and things are difficult for me and my family.
“I felt since the boy was under my custody and he is my son, I can sell him and use the money to cater for the rest of the family.”
The Prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Sheidu said that since Aliyu was a first time offender, he prayed to the court to convict him summarily in accordance with section 157 of the CPC Act.
The Chief Magistrate, Hassan Mohammed however, said poverty was not a strong reason for the father to sell his son.
“Is it because of poverty that you will sell your son like someone who is selling a goat? That is not reason enough,” he said.
Consequently, Chief Magistrate Hassan Mohammed summarily sentenced the accused to five years imprisonment without an option of fine. The accused however, has 30 days within which to appeal the judgment.
