The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced a 55-year-old man, Etteokon Ntuen, to one year in prison for harbouring a 15-year-old girl and sexually exploiting her. Ntuen was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Deception and Exploitation
NAPTIP informed the court that the convict deceived the victim's parents by pretending he was taking their daughter to Lagos for proper schooling and better opportunities. Instead, he harboured the minor in Calabar, where he allegedly exploited her sexually.
Legal Conviction
Ntuen was convicted for an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13(2)(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. Delivering judgment on Thursday, April 29, 2026, Justice L. I. Ojukwu sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment. Additionally, the court ordered him to pay N300,000 as compensation to the victim and directed him to issue a written apology to the victim and her family.
Deterrent Message
NAPTIP stated that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in the trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors under the guise of providing educational opportunities. The agency emphasized its commitment to protecting vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.
