An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, on Tuesday the 9th day of June, 2025 sentenced a 33-year-old woman, Moradeke Adeoti, to three years imprisonment for violating the Ekiti State Government’s directive on child hawking and abuse.
Adeoti was arraigned on November 29, 2024, on a one-count charge bordering on unlawfully engaging an 11-year-old girl, Oyindamola Adeoti, in hawking of goods and child abuse.
The charge read, “That the defendant on November 22, 2024, at Ado Ekiti, did unlawfully engage an 11-year-old girl in hawking of goods in the street/highway, contrary to and punishable under Section 30(2) of the Child’s Right Law of Ekiti State 2019.”
In her testimony before the court, the defendant’s landlady, Bosede Oso, stated that “Moradeke has been treating the little girl (her cousin) who was living with her, like a slave, while her children would be in school. The victim (girl) would be hawking pepper, palm wine and other things on the street and highway, especially, during school hours.
“I and other neighbours warned her several times, but she refused to change. A man came some time ago to assist the girl by enrolling her in school, but Moradeke rejected the offer. On November 24, 2024, we received the news that the girl was involved in a motorcycle accident around Omisanjana area of Ado Ekiti. The girl was rushed to hospital and the matter was later reported at the police station”, she said.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun, called one witness and tendered the defendant’s statement as well as the nominal complainant’s statement and hospital card as exhibits.
In the judgment, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola said the defendant confessed to giving the victim pepper and palm wine for her to hawk to raise money to enroll the victim in school.
The magistrate said, “The prosecution has established the offence against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. I find her guilty as charged and I convict her accordingly.
“She is hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour or an option of N20,000 fine in lieu of imprisonment”, the magistrate pronounced.
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