11 years after, NAPTIP secures conviction of Ondo Baby Factory couple
Eleven years after prosecution started, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a couple for operating a baby factor. The convicts,
Eleven years after prosecution started, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a couple for operating a baby factor.
The convicts, Ogundeji Happiness Ayodele and Prince Ogundeji Abiodun, were sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment without a fine by Justice F.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court (FHC), Akure, Ondo State, on February 26, NAPTIP said yesterday.
The couple, arrested in 2014 for operating a baby factory at their 10, Sarajo Street, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State following a referral from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to NAPTIP.
According to NAPTIP, a raid of the premises said to be a registered care home uncovered underage pregnant girls detained in the facility against their will and kept until delivery, after which their babies were sold to interested buyers.
During a search of the premises, investigators recovered several hospital (antenatal) cards, eight vehicles with their keys, N4 million hidden in the trunk of one of the cars, two bungalows, a poultry farm and other valuables.
Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, NAPTIP’s Lagos Zone Commander, Mrs Comfort Agboko, said they were convicted on a 10-count charge under Section 19(c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003.
The court, she said, ordered the forfeiture of eight cars, two bungalows and the cash recovered during investigation to the Federal Government through NAPTIP, adding that other properties belonging to the convicts should be auctioned, with N1 million each awarded as compensation to the three victims who testified during the trial.
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She described the judgment as a landmark victory in the fight against human trafficking, detailing the rigours NAPTIP went through to secure conviction of the couple.
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The Commander said to secure all recovered items, a court order was obtained on May 12, 2014, from the FHC Akure to seal and seize the properties found within the premises
According to her, the judgment will send a strong warning to traffickers that the law will eventually catch up with them, no matter how long it takes, or how highly placed they are.
She described the ruling as significant not only for imposing custodial sentences but also for stripping the convicts of illicit assets and providing restitution for victims.
Mrs Agboko commended the judiciary, the NIS, the Nigeria Police in Akure and other partners for their support throughout the 11-year trial, as well as the media for sustained coverage.
Reaffirming NAPTIP’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from exploitation, the zonal commander urged the public to support the agency’s efforts to combat human trafficking across the country.
She said: “It takes determination to prosecute TIP cases. Because NAPTIP does not have assigned courts for our cases, most times, some of our cases in court start all over when a judge is posted out of a particular jurisdiction.
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“During such periods, we find it difficult to even have access to the witnesses, that is the victims that initially testified. We also have situations where these prosecutors are being intimidated by SANs
“But NAPTIP officers have been trained in such a way that no matter the intimidation or inconveniences, you must hold your head. If we succeed in saving one life, two lives, we have affected humanity. Like in this case, we saw that there were three witnesses, there were more than three that testified, but those were the witnesses we had access to at the time the case started over again.
“But we believe we’ll get there, because presently NAPTIP is trying to sensitise, enlighten and educate the judges on the importance of handling human trafficking cases as priority and some of these judges are trying their best possible to win the collaboration efforts we have together.
“If NAPTIP is able to get special courts for TIP, we’ll be glad. But you agree with me that most of our cases are being prosecuted at the Federal High Courts. It is a few of our cases that we make use of state high courts.
“At present, I want to say that in Lagos, we have more than 50 cases at the federal high courts. But with the establishment of State Task Forces, and the Attorney-Generals getting involved, we are getting more enlightenment on the need for judges in state High Courts to understand the essence of taking our cases.”
On the partnership between NAPTIP and transporters to curb the menace, as well as efforts to tighten border security against trafficking, Mrs. Agboko said the agency was collaborating with all relevant partners, revealing that several victims have been rescued from Seme Border by the NIS and handed over to NAPTIP.
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“We get victims of trafficking intercepted at Seme Border two to three times in a week. They (NIS) always forward to us for action.
“NATIP also ensures that we carry out continuous enlightenment, education of the public on the antics of traffickers, their ways of recruitment, so that Nigerians don’t fall victims.
“However, no matter the awareness, some people have made up their minds to rather die in other countries. Victims, especially men are being trafficked to Mali, Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana for internet fraud.
“Just last week, we received about 15 from Ghana. We received 231 victims and 24 suspects of internet frauds that are Nigerians from Ghana last year. And we handed the suspected traffickers to EFCC while the victims were reunited with their families.
“Also, last year again, we received about 78 victims from Cote d’Ivoire. Last week alone, we received 13 victims from Cote D’Ivoire. We have received two sets of Cote D’Ivoire. 13, 15. Last week we received more than 30 victims from Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana,
“Our agency will not relent in our sensitisation.There is a department in charge of that. I will say trafficking of persons within the country is reducing,” she added.
