A lebanese and two Nigerians have been arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) before a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin over human trafficking.
The suspects were arraigned before Justice B.G Ashigar of the Federal High Court over alleged trafficking of Nigerian women to Lebanon for exploitation.
Igbere TV had earlier reported that a video of a 23-year-old single mother identified as Ajayi Omolola narrating her ordeals as a victim of human trafficking in Lebanon and how she was deceived has surfaced on the internet.
Days after the video went viral, the lady was rescued by the Nigerian government. 25 days after, the Lebanese was arrested by NAPTIP and charged to court.
The suspects, Mohammed Wafic Hamze, 62, Adetunji Taofeek Sanusi 34 and Tunde Awwal, 27 were slammed with a three- count charge which bothered on Human Trafficking/ Foreign Travel which Promotes Prostitution or other forms of Exploitation in accordance with Section 18 and 27 (a) & (b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
Following the arrest of three suspects, the case was initially transferred to the Agency by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to the Oshogbo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Saadu Mustpha, further investigation revealed that contrary to the initial report, about 16 victims were believed to have been trafficked to the Middle East Countries by the suspects out of which only three have been rescued through the collaboration of Civil Society organization, Nigeria Embassy and other partners.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were subsequently remanded at the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Ilorin while the case was adjourned to 26th February, 2020 for the commencement of the trial.
