Two residents of Osogbo, Osun State, Akinniyi Temitope (41) and Abiodun Oluwakemi (31), on Thursday, appeared before a Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo for offences bordering on human trafficking.
Details of the offences committed by the two women as contained in the charge sheet, indicated that they conspired and procured a 20-year-old Kehinde Opeyemi, a resident of Osogbo and moved her to Libya for exploitative labour.
The defendants, who were dragged before the court by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, allegedly committed the offences in November 2023 within the Osogbo metropolis.
The charge sheet signed by the prosecuting counsel, Jude Ajaegbu and Umar Hammanjuda, on behalf of the complainant, partly read, “That you, Abiodun Babalola Oluwakemi, ‘F’, 31years, sometime in November 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired with one Akinniyi Temitope Latifat, ‘F’, 41years, in procuring and recruiting one Kehinde Mariam Opeyemi, ‘F’, 20 years, for exploitative labour to Libya.
“That you, Akinniyi Temitope Latifa, (41), facilitated the illegal entry of one Kehinde Mariam to Libya for forced labour.”
The offences committed were said to be contrary to Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, as well as, Section 27 of Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
The acts by the defendants were said to be punishable under Section 13(2)(c) of the Act.
After the charge sheets had been read to their hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Addressing the court, defence counsel, Taiwo Awokunle, moved a formal bail application for his clients, urging the judge to admit them to bail in liberal terms.
Ruling on the application, Justice Mashkur Salisu admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to February 12, for hearing.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.