An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, presided over by Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025 sentenced a 33-year-old woman, Moradeke Adeoti, to three years imprisonment for violating 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 the hawking of goods and child abuse.
The charge read, “That the defendant on 22nd November, 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 sometimes ago to assist the girl by enrolling her in school, but Moradeke rejected the offer. On 24th November, 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 police station”, she said.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun, called one witness and tendered defendant’s statement and as well the nominal complainant’s statement and hospital card as exhibits.
The defendant, who spoke through her counsel, Opeyemi Esan, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, claiming ignorance of the government’s directive and existing laws on child abuse and hawking, especially during school hours.
In the judgment, Magistrate Daramola said that the defendant clearly confessed to giving the victim pepper and palm wine for her to hawk in order to raise money to enrol the victim in school.
“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.
