Metro
Former human trafficking victim bags one year jail term for same crime
A former victim of human trafficking, Ese Edomwonyi, has been sentenced to one-year jail term for perpetrating the same crime.
Edomwonyi, 24, was rescued from the Seme border in Lagos State a few years ago while being taken out of the country.
Now a housewife and mother of five, Edomwonyi had recruited a a 14-year-old girl for her sister, Lovette, who lives in Burkina Faso to be used as a prostitute.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters, NAPTIP, said Edomwonyi was arraigned before Justice Irele lfeje of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.
In a statement by the Commander of NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command, Nduka Nwanwenne, the convict was charged with engaging in acts of human trafficking in persons contrary to Section 13 (4)c of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence.
He said, “Mrs Edomwonyi, who is also known as Mama Gift, recruited a 14-year-old girl for her sister, Lovette, who resides in Burkina Faso.
“On arrival in Burkina Faso, the victim was subjected to beatings, denial of food and slavery when she objected initially to engaging in prostitution. She was later sold to another lady, who forced her into prostitution, thereby losing her virginity. The traffickers collected all her earnings.
“The victim was later rescued after the arrest of the convict, who was sentenced to a one-year jail term with an option of N300,000 fine.”
