By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded 29 years old Winifred Nwabugwu, for allegedly trafficking a young lady to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, for prostitution.

Justice Aneke remanded her at the Kirikiri facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), following her non-guilty plea to a charge preferred against her by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Person (NAPTIP).

Nwabugwu, was arraigned on three counts charge bordering on conspiracy, promoting prostitution, trafficking in person.

NAPTIP prosecutor, Beckie Jibo told the court that the defendant, and two others, now at large, on March 14, 2016, conspired among themselves, and organised foreign trip from Nigeria to Dubai, for one Jennifer Simon, which promoted prostitution.

The agency alleged that the defendant and others at large exported the said Jennifer Simon to Dubai for the purpose of forcing or inducing her into prostitution.

The offences are contrary to Section 18, 14(b) and 27(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement And Administration Act, 2015, and punishable under the same section 18 of the Act.

Responding to her submission, defendant’s counsel, E. B. Okoye, asked the court for a short date to enable him bring his client’s bail application before the court.

Justice Aneke, therefore adjourned trial to December 13, 2031. The judge directed defendant’s counsel to approach the court anytime his client’s bail application is filed.

-Guardian