The National Industrial Court sitting in Jos has convicted Prophetess Nwachukwu for trafficking two children, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Ibrahim Galadima sentenced the prophetess to two years in prison and imposed a ₦250,000 fine. The court also credited the one month she had already spent in custody before being granted bail.
In addition to the sentence, Justice Galadima ordered that Nwachukwu’s name and photograph be entered into the National Trafficking Offenders Register. He also directed that she remain under correctional monitoring after completing her sentence, as required by law.
According to the prosecution, Prophetess Nwachukwu arranged the purchase and transfer of two children through Pastor Bernard, allegedly paying ₦550,000 for each child under the guise of adoption. The children were later moved to Lagos, where law enforcement authorities eventually rescued them.
However, the prophetess denied the allegations, insisting that she was only assisting a church member who wanted to adopt children. She claimed she never handled any payments and maintained that the arrangement was a legitimate adoption process rather than human trafficking.
Her legal team argued that prosecutors failed to establish key elements of trafficking, including force, coercion, deception, or exploitation. They also contended that there was no documentary evidence proving payment for the children and questioned whether the Plateau State Ministry of Justice had the legal authority to prosecute the case.
The prosecution dismissed those arguments, stating that the defence failed to produce any evidence of a lawful adoption. Prosecutors pointed out that there were no adoption orders, no parental consent, and no proof of compliance with Plateau State’s Child Rights Law. They further argued that the prophetess’ testimony contradicted her earlier confessional statements.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Galadima ruled that the prosecution relied on compelling documentary evidence, written and video confessional statements, and admissions made by the defendant during trial to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge noted that although Nwachukwu described the arrangement as an adoption, she admitted facilitating the collection and transfer of the children without knowing their parents, their origins, or obtaining any legal adoption approval.
Justice Galadima emphasized that Nigerian law criminalizes the recruitment, transportation, transfer, receipt, and procurement of children for unlawful purposes. He ruled that simply labeling the transaction as an adoption could not shield the defendant from criminal responsibility when the evidence clearly pointed to an illegal commercial transfer of children.
The court further explained that lawful adoption is a strictly regulated legal process requiring welfare investigations, parental consent, court approval, and full compliance with statutory procedures. Given the absence of these requirements—along with the exchange of money, involvement of intermediaries, and movement of the children—the judge concluded that the transaction amounted to child trafficking, not adoption.
