African News: Niger agriculture minister detained over baby trafficking suspicions

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Niger agriculture minister detained over baby trafficking suspicions

Hama Amadou (C), an opposition figure whose wife has been detained in a baby traficking case, is pictured while taking part in an anti-government march in Niamey, June 15, 2014.

Niger’s Agriculture Minister Abdou Labo has been detained over suspicion of baby trafficking from neighboring Nigeria, officials say.

“Abdou Labo was imprisoned Saturday at the civilian prison in Say, 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Niamey (the capital). This is in the framework of the investigations into baby trafficking,” said a judge, who name was not mentioned in the reports because of his anonymity request.

Labo’s arrest came after 17 people, including his wife and spouses of other politicians, were jailed late June as part of a police probe into a baby-trafficking network. Police suspects that the detainees acquired new-born babies from Nigeria.

The agriculture minister, however, has denied any involvement in the trafficking.

“We had a party meeting this morning. The minister called to say the judge had decided to place him in detention. He is presumed innocent for the moment,” said Kabirou Adamou, a spokesman for Labo’s Democratic and Social Convention (CDS) party.

Labo was Niger’s interior minister between 2001 and 2013. He is currently the deputy leader of CDS party. He reportedly entered the cabinet despite his party’s opposition.

Hama Amadou, who is the main rival for the country’s President Mahamadou Issoufou and whose wife is also among those arrested in the case, described the case as “political.”

“In this alleged child trafficking case, no evidence has been provided to prove it. This case is political,” he said.

Justice Minister Marou Amadou, however, warned that “we will crack down on any shameful trafficking, whoever is implicated.”

Source: www.presstv.ir

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