Human trafficking: Court remands woman for trafficking girls

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of Rejoice John, also known as Success, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly trafficking three young women to Ghana for prostitution. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order, pending a hearing and ruling on her bail application.
John faces five charges in case FHC/L/829c/24, including deportation, harboring, and organizing foreign travel for prostitution, filed against her by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
During the arraignment, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) informed the court that John had trafficked several girls to Ghana for prostitution. According to NAPTIP prosecution counsel, U.I. Egonu, the alleged offenses took place between June and September 2024.
Egonu explained that John, who resides in Godwin Compound, Oku Uruan, Akwa Ibom State, organized the foreign travel of a 22-year-old woman, identified only as “Queen,” from Nigeria to Ghana in June 2024, with the intent of promoting prostitution. After her deportation from Ghana to Lagos, John allegedly continued to harbor and arrange similar foreign travels for Queen and two other victims, 21-year-old “Ella” and 22-year-old “Grace,” all of whom were trafficked to Ghana for the purpose of prostitution.
The prosecutor argued that John’s actions violated Sections 18 and 15(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015, which are punishable under the same Act.
John pleaded not guilty to the charges. As the court scheduled a trial date, the prosecutor requested that she be remanded in custody pending the conclusion of the case. In response, John’s defense counsel, E.O. Ajoku, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and urged the court to grant it, arguing that the offense was bailable. However, the prosecutor opposed the bail request, citing the seriousness of the offense and its damaging impact on the country’s reputation internationally.
After listening to the arguments of both the defence and prosecution, Justice Aneke adjourned the matter to February 5, 2025, for a ruling.
He ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date.