The Nigeria Correctional Centre has remanded a woman in her mid-50s, Nma Achumba in Afara, Umuahia by a Magistrate Court located in Umuahia, for allegedly recruiting and abducting 21 young girls for sexual exploitation and child trafficking.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty according to the charges levied against her, that she was recruiting and abducting young girls and exploiting them sexually in Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, and Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the State in June 2023.
After her plea, the trial Magistrate, Ngozi Lekwa, said that the offense is punishable under Section 13, Subsection 1, 2, and C of the Trafficking in Persons Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 and Section 86 of the Criminal Code, as applicable in Abia State.
However, she said that the Magistrate Court lacked the right to exercise authority to handle the matter.
The court issued an order for the transfer of the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution within the Abia State Ministry of Justice, located in Umuahia.
The matter was adjourned to November 7, 2023, for a report of compliance, while the accused remains in the Correctional Centre, Umuahia.
The Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechuckwu Uwanna said that the State is determined and ready to prosecute anyone involved in dirty and illegal businesses capable of bringing disrepute to the image of the State.
The Attorney General, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Vincent Chukwu, noted that there had been reports of such issues in some parts of Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North, and Umuahia North local government areas of Abia.
Uwanna further said that the law must take its course and advised the Abia public against engaging in illicit businesses.
