From: Tony Osauzo, Benin

An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo State, on Thursday, remanded three men and two women in prison custody for allegedly buying two ladies, Everln Oghagbon, 23 and Mary Osarobo, 23, for the purpose of using them for prostitution.‎

Those remanded are Osaro Rasheed, 47, Caroline Oyasiri, 52, Christopher Erhahon, 50, Hellen Osarobo, 46 and Roland Egbon, 52.

The accused persons were facing a three-count charge of procurement for prostitution, human trafficking and illegal entry.

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Besides, they were ‘exported’ their victims to Libya for prostitution and other sexual exploitation.

Prosecutor, Patrick Agbonifo, told the court that the accused persons ‘did fraudulent entry of their victims to Libya of which they are not citizens or permanent residents, in order to obtain financial and material benefit’.

He said the offences which were committed in May 2016 are contrary to and punishable under section 27, 14(b) and 26(1) of the trafficking in persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015..

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate F.E Akhere referred the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice and adjourned the case to November 24, 2017.