Rescued trafficked victim sentenced to jail over same offence

A 24-year old rescued victim of human trafficking, Ese Glory Edomwonyi, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment by a Benin High Court, for engaging in human trafficking, the very offence she was rescued from some years ago at the Seme borders when she was being trafficked by a suspected human trafficker.

In a twist of fate, Edomwonyi was also nabbed by the officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters, NAPTIP, for engaging in the illicit act.

A statement by the NAPTIP Commander, National, Benin Zonal Command, Nduka Nwanwenne, the convict, Edomwonyi, who is a housewife and mother of five, was arraigned in charge No: B/NAPTIP/9C/2022, before Hon Justice Irele lfeje of Court 3, Criminal Division of the Edo State High Court Benin city.

The statement said she was charged for engaging in acts of trafficking in persons contrary to Section 13 (4)c of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015. The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence.

“Mrs Edomwonyi, who is also known as Mama Gift recruited a 14-year-old girl, Miss X, for her sister Lovette, who resides in Burkina Faso.

“On arrival at Burkina Faso, the victim was subjected to beatings, denial of food and slavery when she objected initially to engage in prostitution. She was later sold for another lady who forced her into prostitution, thereby losing her virginity. The traffickers collected all her earrings.

“The victim was latter rescued after the arrest of the convict who was sentenced to one-year jail term with an option to pay N300, 000 fine.”

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Rescued trafficked victim sentenced to jail over same offence