Unable to raise a loan to set up his workshop, 29 year old sprayer Michael McCarthy decided to sell his six year old boy for ?14 million.

But Madam Felle Banza, a neighbour of McCarthy who was approached to find a buyer, went to the Bibiani District Police and informed the Commander Superintendent A.M. Sumaila. Mr Sumaila detailed one of his detectives to pose as the buyer. McCarthy brought the boy and after bargaining, a deal was struck. The detective suddenly raised an alarm and three other policemen who were standing by burst into the room of McCarthy and arrested him.

This was the case of the prosecution as McCarthy was arraigned before Mr Justice Tando Brown, presiding over the crowded Bibiani Community-Tribunal. McCarthy?s plea was not taken and was remanded in custody to re-appear at a later date.