Niger presidential aspirant sentenced to prison for “buying babies from Nigeria”
A presidential aspirant in Niger republic, Hama Amadou has been sentenced to a year imprisonment for child smuggling, BBC reports.
Amadou, who contested against President Mahamadou Issoufou in the presidential elections in March 2016 had been accused of “buying babies from Nigeria.”
The opposition leader was tried in absentia, as he remains in exile in France.
Amadou’s wife – along with several others – had been accused of falsely laying claim to being the parents of about 30 children from Nigeria. They allegedly sold the babies to affluent couples in Niger.
Amadou has, however, repeatedly denied charges that he profited by buying new born babies from neighbouring Nigeria.
His defence lawyers, who pleaded for adjournment till documents relating to the case were sent to Amadou in France, argued that his conviction was politically motivated.
They also argued that the ultimate aim of the trail is to prevent Amadou from running in 2021 elections.
It is likely the judgement would be appealed, BBC further reports.
