National Agency for the Prohibition of the Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned two women, Blessing Lucky and Joyce Okeke, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly operating a foreign prostitution cartel.
Lucky and Okeke, also known as Mary Frank and Eva, were arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, promoting prostitution and buying of human beings to use them for prostitution.
The prosecutor, Mrs Becky Jibo, told the court that the defendants, who allegedly committed the offences sometime in February this year, worked for one Mariam Adamu, a.k.a. Blessing, who resides in Lagos.
Jibo also claimed that the defendants, who worked for Mariam Adamu, procured and harboured one Imasuen Chimuanya Delight, also known as Zara, facilitated her travelling to Togo and induced her into prostitution.
She said the offences contravened sections 1b; 15 (b); 21; 18, and 27(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2016 and were punishable under the same section of the Act.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following their plea, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date and remand them in prison pending the determination of the charge.
But the defence lawyer told the court that they have filed bail applications for the defendants and the same has been served on the prosecutor. The counsel submission was confirmed by the prosecutor, who said she had filed her counter.
Justice Faji, after listening to the parties, admitted the defendants to bail in various terms and conditions.
The judge then adjourned the matter to June 2 for the commencement of the trial.
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