A Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced a 29-year-old woman, Mariam Omokiri, from neighbouring Delta State, to seven years in prison for trafficking and promoting prostitution involving young girls.
In addition to the jail term, the court also ordered her to pay a fine of ₦1 million for offences bordering on human trafficking, exportation, and facilitation of prostitution.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by Bayelsa High Court 3 in Yenagoa, following charges filed against her by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Omokiri was first arraigned before the court on January 30 for allegedly organising and trafficking four young girls from Bayelsa State to Mali and Senegal for prostitution.
The court held that the offences violated Sections 13(1)(2)(b), 13(4)(a)(c), 14(b), and 18 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
Delivering judgment, Justice Doris Adokeme stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was compelling and sufficient to convict the defendant.
She said, “From the totality of the evidence by the prosecution, I am satisfied that the prosecution has successfully proved its case against all the defendants.”
Justice Adokeme described human trafficking as a grave crime that tarnishes Nigeria’s image globally, stressing that it would not be tolerated within the state.
Reacting to the verdict, the acting Commander of NAPTIP in Bayelsa State, Mr. Fadewara Timiebiowei, represented by Charles Emomotimi, commended the ruling, saying, “This will send a signal that Bayelsa is not a safe haven for human trafficking activities.”
He further urged parents and guardians to be vigilant and report any suspected case of trafficking to NAPTIP Bayelsa Command or other relevant security agencies.
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