A UK court has handed 18-month prison sentences to Nigerian nationals Raphael Ossai and Oluwakemi Olasanoye for attempting to smuggle a fostered baby into Britain under false pretenses.
The Manchester Airport incident unfolded when border agents noticed suspicious behavior with infant "Lucy". Key revelations:
Concealed birth certificate in luggage lining
DNA proved no biological relation
Child taken from Nigerian orphanage illegally
Couple only had fostering rights
Judge Jonathan Cohen condemned their actions: "The lies surrounding Lucy's removal from her homeland caused profound trauma to this vulnerable child."
Court documents reveal:
Lucy born 2022 in rural Nigeria
Given to orphanage days after birth
Couple fostered but never adopted legally
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Attempted UK entry with forged documents
Ossai's emotional courtroom plea - calling Lucy his "precious gift" - failed to sway the judge. "International child protection laws exist for good reason," Cohen stated, ordering Lucy's return to proper guardianship.
The case exposes glaring gaps in cross-border foster systems, with child rights activists demanding:
Tighter documentation checks
DNA verification for international transfers
Harsher penalties for baby trafficking
UK Home Office data shows Nigerian-origin child smuggling attempts have risen 37% since 2022. This ruling sets a precedent for stricter enforcement.
As Lucy begins trauma counseling, questions remain about accountability in Nigeria's foster care system that allowed this breach.
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