Ondo Couple Jailed 14 Years for Operating Illegal Baby Factory

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has convicted Abiodun and Happiness Ogundeji for operating a baby factory in Ondo State, resulting in a 14-year prison sentence. 

Lagos Zonal Commander, Comfort Agboko confirmed that this verdict concludes an 11-year legal battle that began with a 2014 investigation.

The couple ran their illegal business from their home on Sarajo Street. Agboko detailed, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the two convicts operated a baby factory at their country home, where underage pregnant girls were brought in and detained against their will, deliberately awaiting delivery of their babies for sale to customers.”

Authorities seized two houses, eight vehicles, and ₦4 million in cash during the raid. The court ordered these assets forfeited to the Federal Government, officially classifying them as proceeds from criminal activities.

Justice F. A. Olubanjo found the couple guilty on 10 counts of illegal detention and deprivation of liberty. On February 26, 2026, the court handed down the 14-year sentence without the possibility of a fine.

The court further mandated the auctioning of the couple’s properties to fund restitution. Each of the three victims who testified during the trial is to be paid ₦1 million from the proceeds.

NAPTIP described the ruling as a major victory against human trafficking. Agboko noted, “This is a landmark conviction that sends a clear warning to perpetrators of human trafficking that, no matter how long it takes, they will eventually face the full wrath of the law.”