A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced a human trafficker, Joy Nwafor, to seven years’ imprisonment for human trafficking and modern slavery.
Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding Nwafor, a widow, guilty of the offence.
She was charged with one count of human trafficking and contemporary slavery by the Lagos State Government.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Nicol-Clay stated: “I have carefully considered the evidence presented by all witnesses in this case. The key issue for determination is whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and whether Nwafor should be convicted or acquitted.
“I have carefully considered the victim’s evidence that the convict lured her with false promises of financial gain. The victim was comfortable where she lived until the convict deceived and coerced her into following her.
“I agree with the prosecution’s submission that the victim’s testimony is direct evidence of slavery and deception.
“The evidence shows that Nwafor took the victim away at 2 a.m., hid her, and then transferred her to another woman without informing her legal guardian. This constitutes an act of trafficking and enslavement.”
The judge said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Nwafor committed human trafficking and slavery and that the victim was “held in bondage, physically and mentally abused,” and deceived about her future.
“Child labour is a widespread problem in Nigeria today, with many children forced into hazardous work conditions, often as domestic servants or labourers. This is a form of modern slavery.”
The judge further stated that a free and voluntary confession, if direct, positive, and properly established, is sufficient proof of guilt to sustain a conviction.
“Joy Nwafor is hereby found guilty as charged. I pronounce her guilty and accordingly convict her.
“I have considered the plea of the defence counsel regarding Nwafor’s status as a widow with a child in the village. However, she must face the consequences of her actions.
“Nwafor is sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. Her sentence will commence from the date of her remand in 2015,” she said.
The prosecution counsel, Mrs Titilayo Olanrewaju-Daud, informed the court that Nwafor committed the offences in June 2011 at No. 17, Sanni Street, Amukoko, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, Nwafor kept the victim —whose name was withheld— aged 15, in servitude. Her actions contravened Section 267 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.
Although Nwafor pleaded not guilty, the trial commenced on December 18, 2018, with the prosecution calling three witnesses.
During the trial, the victim testified that she was 15 years old at the time of the incident and was in primary six. She stated that she lived with her sister and her husband, a pastor.
She recounted meeting Nwafor in 2011 when the latter was taking her child to school. Nwafor convinced her that her current living conditions were unsuitable and promised to take her somewhere she could earn money.
She said she followed Nwafor early one morning but was unaware of what transpired after their departure. She said Nwafor initially took her to one location but later changed her mind and handed her over to a woman named Anthonia.
The victim worked for Anthonia for four years without receiving any payment, was forced to do household chores, including washing clothes, and suffered physical abuse. She testified that whenever she tried to contact Nwafor using other people’s phones, the convict never answered.
When Anthonia fell ill and was taken to her village, she later died, but no one informed her of her death. Instead, she was sent to live with Anthonia’s sister, Uchenna, and her husband, Perry.
She further recounted how she was subjected to further abuse and forced to do chores without adequate food. One day, while running an errand, she met someone from her village and confided in him about her suffering.
The man promised to help her escape and later returned with the police, who rescued her and arrested Nwafor.
