A 36-year-old man, Emmanuel Collins, was Tuesday, July 28, convicted to one year imprisonment by a Criminal High Court, Benin.
He was convicted for trafficking two girls from Benin to Seme town in Benin Republic.
Justice Isoken Erameh sentenced Collins after he had pleaded guilty to the two-count charge bothering on trafficking in persons (prohibition).
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Erameh however, gave the convict option of fine of N125,000.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Eusebius Umeh, told the court that Collins of No 5, Ekpenbor Street, off Temboga, Benin, committed the offense sometimes March, 2020.
Umeh said that Collins used deception to recruiting Godday Itohan, 21, and Sunday Mercy, 21, and trafficked them from Benin City to Seme border where they were arrested.
He noted that Collins plans failed when him and the two girls were taken to NAPTIP, Lagos zonal office and later sent back to Benin City for prosecution.
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Narrating the facts (story), Mr Ugochwuku Nwosu senior intelligent officer of NAPTIP, said Collins deceived the two girls that his friend, one Omooba has the connection to assist them to Dubai to work as domestic help.
Nwosu said that Collins asked the girls to change their to names to fine English names.
He said at Seme border Collins asked the girls to tell the security personnel that they ( the girls) were going for a wedding close to the bother.
During separate interrogations, the girls revealed the true picture of their traveling through Seme border to Dubai.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Igiebor Charles, however, pleaded for mercy for Collins, adding that Collin’s wife put to bed while Collins was away on the journey.
He said that he has not seen his wife and new baby.
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Counsel added that the defendant is remorseful and had since turn a new leaf as the prosecutor can attest to the fact.