Human trafficking: Court jails woman for five years in Anambra

A High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, and presided over by Justice Peace Otti, has sentenced a 44-year-old woman, Goodness Daniel, to five years in prison for human trafficking, with an option of a ₦2 million fine.
Daniel was convicted for her involvement in the buying and selling of human beings, an offense that violates Section 21 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
The case was prosecuted by the Anambra State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
According to court documents obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, the judgment was delivered on June 27, 2025, by the Awka Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court.
“Otti found the defendant guilty of trafficking in persons, particularly the buying and selling of human beings, as defined under Section 21 of the relevant Act.
“The court sentenced Daniel to five years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦2,000,000 (two million naira) fine.
“In addition to the jail term, the court ordered her to pay ₦2,600,000 (two million, six hundred thousand naira) in restitution to the victim, who also served as a prosecution witness during the trial.
“Daniel was initially arraigned on July 9, 2024, on charges related to human trafficking.”
In a statement, NAPTIP described the conviction as a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to combat trafficking and uphold the rights and dignity of victims across the country.