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A Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced a 29-year-old woman, Mariam Omokiri, to seven years imprisonment for human trafficking.
Omokiri, who hails from Delta State, was also ordered to pay a fine of ₦1 million for trafficking, exporting, and promoting the prostitution of young girls. The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, October 15, following charges filed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Offences (NAPTIP).
The convict was arraigned on January 30 this year for organizing and trafficking four girls from Bayelsa State to Mali and Senegal for prostitution.
The court ruled that her actions 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 the judgment, Justice Doris Adokeme stated that, based on the evidence presented, the prosecution had successfully proven its case against the defendant.
“The offence of trafficking in persons is a very serious crime that has negatively affected the image of our country internationally,” Justice Adokeme said.
Reacting to the verdict, the Acting Commander of NAPTIP Bayelsa State Command, Fadewara Timiebiowei, represented by Charles Emomotimi, commended the judgment, describing it as a strong deterrent.
“This will send a clear message that Bayelsa is not a safe haven for human trafficking activities,” he said.
He also urged parents and guardians to report all suspected cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP or other security agencies.
