NAN-H-17
Trafficking
By Teniola Ibitola
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2017 (NAN) A 30-year-old woman, Martha Edrah, who allegedly trafficked two teenage girls, was on Thursday docked at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a two-count charge bordering on human trafficking.
She, however, pleaded not guilty, but the Police Prosecutor Kehinde Omisakin insisted that the woman committed the offences on Oct. 25 when she trafficked two teenage girls from Benin City in Edo to Ivory Coast.
She alleged that the accused could not give a satisfactory explanation why the two teenagers — Eno Etim, 18; and Francess Bamidele, 19 — were travelling outside the country with her.
She said the accused had taken the girls to Ivory Coast for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex.
The offences contravened Sections 140(b), (c), (d) and 276 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that human trafficking attracts a 14-year jail term, while trading in prostitution is punishable with two years imprisonment on conviction.
Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias admitted the accused to a bail of N250, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Dec. 6 for further hearing. (NAN)
OAT/HS/DA
Edited by Halima Sheji/Dele Akinsola