Trafficking
By Christian Njoku
The Federal High Court in Calabar on Wednesday sentenced a 29-year-old man, Bassey Bassey, to seven years imprisonment for human trafficking and facilitating illegal foreign travel.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, found Bassey guilty on seven counts, bordering on human trafficking and illegal migration preferred against him.
According to the Judge, the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 13(2)(b), 18, 27, and 29 of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act.
She also imposed a fine of N1 million against the convict.
Bassey had pleaded not guilty to all the charges when he was first arraigned on Feb. 24, 2025.
Justice Ojukwu said that after review of the evidence before the court, the defendant was found guilty of the charges.
The court heard that the convict conspired with his sister-in-law, Ms Esther, who is now at large, to deceive and recruit victims for exploitation abroad.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Cross River Command filed the case against Bassey in Charge No. FHC/CA/4C/2025.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ehigimetor Igbaugba/Sadiya Hamza
