An Abuja Magistrate Court is trying two farmers brought before it by the police for attempting to sell a minor, Blessing Jacolia.

Joseph Danjuma, 43, and Victor Habu, 35, both farmers from Wasa Village, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, were arraigned at the court for allegedly committing the offence contrary to sections 278 and 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 97 sub section 2.

The two accused persons were alleged to have received the  N100, 000 from one Mr. Musa Ali Bwala being the payment for the girl.

Habu was alleged to be the one that provided  the telephone number of the buyer, Bwala, to Joseph who eventually made the contact for the transaction, which took place in Giwa Hotel Jikwoyi Abuja, in July.

The charge sheet read: “That you, Joseph Danjuma, on July 18, 2012 at Giwa Hotel, Jikwoyi Abuja, attempted to commit an offence of selling a minor for unlawful purpose and in such attempt did a certain act towards the commission of the said offence, by receiving the sum of N100,000 from Mr Musa Ali Bwala for the purpose of selling one Blessing Jacolia to him.

“That you Joseph Danjuma and Victor Habu conspired among yourself to sell a minor, Blessing Jacolia. That you Victor Habu provided Joseph Danjuma with a telephone number with which to reach a buyer and you contacted one Mr Musa Ali Bwala for the unlawful act”.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offence, while the prosecutor sought for short adjournment to open the case.

Magistrate  Emmanuel Iyana granted bail to the two accused persons in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties each. The sureties, according to the ruling, must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The matter was adjourned to October 9 for hearing.