Crime
NAPTIP arraigns Lebanese, two others for trafficking Nigerian women
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Monday said it had arraigned a Lebanese, Mr. Mohammed Hamze (62), and two Nigerians, Adetunji Sanusi (34) and Tunde Awwal (27) before a Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, presided over by Justice B. G. Ashigar, for alleged trafficking of a female Nigerian to Lebanon for exploitation.
The agency’s spokesman, Vincent Adekoye, in a statement, said the arraignment was part of NAPTIP’s determination to end human trafficking in Nigeria through prompt prosecution.
He added that the arraignment of the suspects was a result of the investigation into the “much publicised case of a Nigerian female who was trafficked to Lebanon allegedly for exploitation, whose video went viral on social media platforms across the country about three weeks ago and was subsequently rescued and brought back to Nigeria.”
According to him, the suspects were slammed with three counts bordering on human trafficking/foreign travel promoting prostitution or other forms of exploitation in accordance with sections 18 and 27 (a) & (b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
He stated that the case was initially transferred to the agency by the Kwara State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps after which the three suspects were arrested.
Adekoye quoted the Osogbo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Saadu Mustapha, as saying further investigation revealed that about 16 victims were trafficked to Middle East countries by the suspects, out of which only three had been rescued through the collaboration of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Embassy and other partners.
He stated that the three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Ilorin.
The case was adjourned till February 26, 2020 for commencement of trial.
-
Entertainment20 hours ago
[ICYMI]: Fashola’s daughter ties knot with her partner
-
Crime17 hours ago
Police nab 10 organ harvesting suspects in Lagos
-
Education17 hours ago
30 Kwara catholic school students score above 300 in JAMB UTME
-
News19 hours ago
[ICYMI] Only 21% Nigerian households are food secure – Report
-
Entertainment16 hours ago
UK global magazine ‘Reader’s Digest’ folds after 86 years
-
News16 hours ago
Delta caterer dies after bestie pushed her into boiling stew
-
Entertainment16 hours ago
Teni’s clapback: I sponsor 20 private uni students, 10 in secondary school
-
Sports9 hours ago
PHOTOS: Arsenal pay tribute to 14-year-old Nigerian killed in London