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From: Tony Osauzo, Benin-City
Two alleged human traffickers have been remanded in prison custody by a Benin High Court presided by Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga.
According to a statement issued by the Commander, NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command, Nduka Nwanwenne, the accused persons, Monday Ugbo, 33, and Omorogiewa Rhoda, aka Mama Bobo, 45, both of Upper Sakponda, Benin-City, Edo State, were charged with various offences contrary to the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
The first accused person was said to have been charged with preparing to further an act of trafficking in persons S.13 (4)(a), facilitation of foreign travel which promotes prostitution S.18 and participating as an accomplice in the commission of an offence, contrary to section 13 (4c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
The second accused person, Rhoda, was also charged with conspiracy, contrary to and punishable under S. 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and administration Act 2015.
The first accused person, Ugbo, was allegedly arrested while attempting to collect a registration fee of N50,000 from a prospective victim. Two other victims werereportedly rescued in his residence while planning to traffic them out the country.
Ugbo allegedly told the victim that she was going to be taken to Dubai (UAE), that on arrival and commencement of work, she was expected to pay the sum of 22,000 USD to her madam and to pay 1,000 USD to him (Monday).
Ugbo was further alleged to have told another victim who was rescued, that she was going to pay the sum of 26,000 euros apart from taking oath with her body parts to ensure that she would not run away from her madam.
The victim, who was actually administered with the oath, was said to have had a bird placed on her chest during the oath taking ceremony.
“I was very happy because Pastors have always told me that I’m going to leave this country and that I will be the child to help my parents and take them out of problems of pains, tears, and working without seeing any profits”, one of the rescued victims was quoted as saying.
She also said that the accused had taken many girls out of the country and was waiting for her own opportunity.
The accused persons who pleaded not guilty to the charges, were represented in court by O. N, Emefe (Esq).
Reacting to the development, the NAPTIP Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli, said there would be no hiding place for all human traffickers, adding that the Agency was fully committed to eradicate human trafficking in all its ramifications no matter who is involved, so as to make the society a better place.
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