Anambra Court Remands Fake Doctor, Two Women Over Alleged Child Trafficking and N3 Million Sale of Stolen Boy
A Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Offences Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has ordered the remand of a 72-year-old man, Daniel Ikebuilo, who is posing as a medical doctor, along with two young women, Ifunanya Ogbonna (23) and Chidiogo Ogbonna (20), over allegations of child theft and the illegal sale of a seven-year-old boy.
The accused were arraigned before Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie on Thursday, facing a five-count charge that includes conspiracy, child stealing, and the unlawful sale of a minor. They all pleaded not guilty.
Following their arraignment, Magistrate Onochie ordered that the trio be remanded in custody at the Awka Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail application, which was scheduled for August 13, 2025.
According to the prosecuting counsel, Chinyere Okechukwu, the alleged child trafficking incident occurred on April 30, 2025, in the Okpoko area of Onitsha. She informed the court that the two female defendants had fraudulently taken a seven-year-old boy from his mother, Kosarachukwu Okpala, under false pretenses.
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The child was then allegedly sold to the third defendant, Daniel Ikebuilo, for the sum of ₦700,000. Ikebuilo is accused of subsequently reselling the child for ₦2.3 million to an unnamed buyer.
“These defendants took a child from his mother through fraudulent means. The boy was then sold for ₦700,000 to the first defendant, who later sold the child to another person for ₦2.3 million,” Okechukwu told the court.
The prosecution disclosed that the alleged crimes are in violation of several laws, including Sections 495(a) and 321 of the Criminal Code Law of Anambra State (1991, as amended), Section 31(1)(4) of the Anambra State Child Rights Law of 2004, and Section 15(1) of the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Law of 2017.
Okechukwu further revealed to the court that this was not the first time Ifunanya Ogbonna and Daniel Ikebuilo were being arraigned for a similar offense.
“They were previously charged in March 2025 for child theft and granted bail. However, shortly after perfecting their bail conditions, they committed another child trafficking offense in April,” she said.
She expressed concern over the recidivism demonstrated by the accused, insisting that their continued freedom could pose serious threats to children in the community.
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the trafficked boy remain unclear as investigations continue. The prosecution is working with law enforcement and child protection services to recover the child and reunite him with his family.
The court has adjourned the matter to August 13 for a ruling on whether to grant bail to the accused. Until then, all three defendants will remain in custody.
Child rights advocates in Anambra State have lauded the decision to remand the suspects, calling for a speedy trial and stringent punishment to deter others from engaging in child trafficking activities.
“This case highlights the disturbing trend of child trafficking rings operating under the guise of legitimate professions,” said one child protection officer who asked not to be named. “We hope the court will ensure justice for the victim and his family.”
The Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare has also pledged to follow up on the case and support the victim’s family, urging parents to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior promptly.
As the court prepares for its next sitting, public attention remains fixed on the fate of the seven-year-old child and the outcome of what many are calling one of the most brazen child trafficking incidents reported in the state this year.