NAPTIP secures conviction of human traffickers in Akwa Ibom

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Wednesday secured two convictions in charge No: FHC/UY/06/2024 in Uyo Zonal Command.

The Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Emmanuel Awhen, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday.

Awhen said the two convicts, Udobong Udofia and Nsidong Eduogo, were arrested for sexually assaulting an orphan, Utitofon Bassey, on Feb. 7.

They were charged with two counts bordering on trafficking in persons by means of threat and abuse of position of vulnerability, contrary to Section 13(2)b of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

The statement reads, “Today, May 8, 2024, the Uyo Zonal Command secured conviction in Charge NO: FHC/UY/06/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Udobong Etim Udofia & Nsidong Abasiama Eduogo filed on 7th of Feb. 7. 2024.

“The defendants are men of 45 and 40 years old respectively, who sexually assaulted an orphan, Utitofon Okon Bassey, 11 years old, female.

“The defendants were charged with two counts each bothering on trafficking in persons by means of threat and abuse of position of vulnerability contrary to Section 13 (2)b of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.and Sexual Exploitation contrary to Section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

“Justice M. A. Onyetenu noted that the Defendants were deserving of a far more reaching punishment for the heinous crimes they had committed than contemplated by the Law.”