The Asaba Division of the Federal High Court, on Thursday, sentenced Christiana Uadiale to 12 years’ imprisonment with an option of N14 million fine for human trafficking.

The presiding judge, Justice F.A. Olubanjo, who handed down the judgment, said the convict was found guilty of the charges against her by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

Accordingly, the judge sentenced the convict to 12 years’ imprisonment, with the option of a fine of N11 million.

She also awarded N1.5 million each to be paid to the two victims of trafficking for their rehabilitation.

According to the judge, the convict will pay N11 million to the government for her crime, with an additional N3 million to the two witnesses (victims) of human trafficking.

The federal government in suit number FHC/ASB/41C/2020, preferred a charge against Christiana Jacob Uadiale, aka Christy Gold, for human trafficking.

The convict was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on sections 15(b) and 13(4)c of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration 2015.

Ms Uadiale, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts, and the court granted her bail.

She absconded, but the trial continued in her absence in line with Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The convict was arrested on December 31, 2024, by the Nigeria Immigration Service at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

While the sentencing trial was on, Ms Uadiale was remanded at the Agbor Correctional Centre.

Reacting to the judgment, Emmanuel Afolabi, who lauded the judgment, said he came as a sentencing counsel to the convict. He noted that he came on a rescue mission for Ms Uadiale, who was already convicted, adding that the judgment, which provided the option of a fine, was better for his client.

Mr Afolabi said, “Concerning this matter, judgment has just been delivered. We came after she had been convicted. We came in during the sentencing hearing as a rescue mission. Under the law, there is a provision for option of fine, which we argued, and the court agreed with us. 

“She was sentenced and to pay option of fine of N11 million and another N3 million fine as compensation to the two victims. This is better for her and she has the right to live her life and do all the restitution which the court admitted.”

The NAPTIP prosecutor, Victoria Oburoh, however, said the anti-narcotics agency management had the decision to make on whether to contest the judgment.

She noted that the judgement was fair to the victims and the society and showed the commitment of NAPTIP, the judiciary and all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking to bring the heinous crime to the barest minimum.

Ms Oburoh said, “Inasmuch as the option of fine is awarded to the convict, the law itself is clear, there is no ‘an option of fine’. It is conviction, imprisonment and fine, but we cannot contest that now, but the decision lies with the management to take.”

(NAN)