Suspects jailed for exploitation, child labour

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced two women to jail for human trafficking.

The convicts, Adesuwa Osaro and Orunmewegbe Omosede Esther, were arrested in a joint operation between National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) and the British Government’s Joint Border Taskforce. 

They were subsequently charged to court by NAPTIP for procuring three young women for exploitation, an act which is contrary to sections 18, 15(b) and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration (TIPPEA) Act, 2015.

Upon arraignment in court, the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, but in the course of the trial, they changed their plea to guilty and the presiding Judge, Honourable Justice O.O. Oguntoyinbo sentenced them to thirty and twenty four months’ imprisonment, respectively without any option of fine.

In a related development, the same Federal High Court in Lagos has also sentenced a woman, Risikat Ibrahim, to twelve years imprisonment for labour exploitation.

The suspect was arraigned by NAPTIP on a three-count charge of abduction from legal guardianship, movement and subjecting the victim to labour exploitation, acts contrary to under sections 19(a), 19(1) (b) and 22(1)(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2005, as amended.

Risikat Ibrahim abducted an eight year old from her legal guardian, took him to Seme, and subjected the child to labour exploitation. Upon her guilty plea, Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo sentenced her to seven years imprisonment on the first charge, and five years’ imprisonment for the second and third charges, however, both sentences are to run concurrently.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, lauded the commitment and collaborative effort of the Joint Border Task Force, and called for speedy trials of human trafficking cases in the law courts. According to the NAPTIP Boss, every conviction is a symbol of justice for the victims, who go through dehumanising experiences at the hands of the human traffickers. She further reiterated her resolve to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, and warned detractors to choose another line of business as the eyes of the Agency are on them.