[size=14pt]6 persons jailed for human trafficking [/size]
By CHRIS ANUCHA
Monday, October 10, 2011


Six persons, including a 60-year-old woman, Mariam Mohammed, have been sentenced to jail in Lagos, for human trafficking offences. Mariam Mohammed and Eunice Owoyele, 40, were last Wednesday sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Delivering judgment, Justice Steve Jonah Adah found them guilty on the three-count charge prefered against them by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The duo were charged for procurement of persons for prostitution to Libya, contrary to Section 15(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003, as amended in 2005 (TIPLEA), organising foreign travel, which promotes prostitution, contrary to Section 16 of the Act and deceitful inducement of persons to go from one place to another, contrary to Section 19 (b) of the Act.

The other 4 were also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by a Lagos State High Court, also sitting in Ikeja and presided over by Justice Oke Lawal. Those sentenced are : Samuel Osaro Iyamu, 34, Mary Okoawo Ikekhua,52, Bose Iyere, 45, and Elizabeth Omokawo, 50. They were accused of organising foreign travel which promotes prostitution, procurement of persons for prostitution in Italy and placing of persons in servitude, contrary to the provisions of TIPLEA.

Justice Oke Lawal also granted the prosecution’s application made pursuant to Section 44 of TIPLEA that all property/ exhibits recovered and tendered in court, including 5,000 Euro be confiscated and forfeited to NAPTIP.
Reacting to the judgments, the Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy- Agba, who applauded the Justices, commended the Judiciary for rising up to the occasion, to ensure that the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria was sustained, with justice sustained at all times.

She said her administration would continue to work with the judiciary and all law enforcement agencies to ensure that the attempt at stakeholders’ approach in combating the scourge was maintained.


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