a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has ordered that a 55-year-old human trafficker, Patricia Igbinovia, who specialises in trafficking ladies abroad for prostitution be remanded in prison custody.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, gave the order on Tuesday after the trafficker, who is also known as Audu Mariam Olayemi and Mama Bobby, was arraigned before the court in a six count-charge marked FHC/L/345c/21 by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person NAPTIP.
The prosecutor, Becky Jibo, told the court that the defendant, a resident of 9, Olajide Street, Off Cornelius Nzebuka Street, Pleasure, Oke-odo, Lagos, engaged in the alleged act between 2015, December 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Jibo told the court that the defendant with one Oyo, who is now at large, allegedly trafficked some ladies from Lagos to Malaga, Spain, for the purpose of prostitution.
She explained that the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section 18 and 27(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against her by NAPTIP.
According to Vanguard, the prosecutor, in view of her plea, asked the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending the determination of the charge because she may not show up for trial, as she has two international passport, which she said made it difficult for her agency to track her.
The defendant’s counsel, Mr. Uche Okoronkwo, informed the court that a bail application has been filed and same has been served on the prosecutor.
Okoronkwo added that the offence committed by the defendant is a bailable one and therefore, urged the court to grant the application.
Justice Aneke granted the request of Jibo by ordering that the defendant be remanded in prison and adjourned till January 21, for ruling on the bail application.