Two women arrested in Akwa Ibom for human trafficking
The Uyo Division of the Federal High Court, on Thursday, remanded two women in Uyo prison custody over alleged human trafficking.
The defendants, Justina Usoro, 41 and Joy Usoro, 19, from Ikot Ekwere Itam in Itu Local Government Area, are facing a 10-count charge of recruiting, facilitating travelling documents of young girls and transporting them to Libya for prostitution and forms of exploitation.
The prosecutor, Jonathan Esene, told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometime in February.
Mr Esene said the defendants did organise and facilitate the foreign travel of a 20-year-old Emediong Akan of Ikot Ekwere Itam and other young girls in Akwa Ibom to Libya to promote prostitution and other forms of exploitation.
He said the offences contravened Section 18 of Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 29 of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
The prosecuting counsel consequently applied that, given the defendants’ plea, they should be remanded in a correctional centre.
Justice M.A. Onyetenu granted the application that the defendants be remanded in Uyo Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until July 17 for the commencement of trial.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 4
UK women, partners to get two weeks’ bereavement leave after miscarriage from next year
“From April, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after any pregnancy loss,” Mr Burnham said.
Africa
Climate Change: 32 million West Africans may become refugees by 2050, says ECOWAS
ECOWAS says 32 million West Africans risk being displaced from their communities due to climate change.
States
Navy recovers 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy recovered 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers.
Economy
Edible oil tanker drivers suspend planned strike
NUEOTDN President Ilias Aperun said the decision followed interventions by the federal government and the State Security Service (SSS).
States
Lagos APC governorship candidate Hamzat rallies voters for 2027
Mr Hamzat expressed concern about declining voter participation, noting that of the 6.2 million registered voters in Lagos in the last election, only about 1.2 million voted.
Economy
NMDPRA begins consultations on anti-competition regulations in petroleum sector
The proposed regulations are designed to address abuse of dominance and promote fair, non-discriminatory access to essential petroleum infrastructure.
