In a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, two residents of Osogbo, Akinniyi Temitope (41) and Abiodun Oluwakemi (31), appeared on Thursday to face charges related to human trafficking.
The defendants were brought before the court by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The charges against the two women revealed that they conspired and facilitated the movement of a 20-year-old resident of Osogbo, Kehinde Opeyemi, to Libya for exploitative labour. The alleged offences took place within the Osogbo metropolis in November 2023.
The charge sheet, signed by prosecuting counsel Jude Ajaegbu and Umar Hammanjuda on behalf of the complainant, accused the defendants of violating Section 26 (2) and Section 27 of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
The charges specified that Abiodun Babalola Oluwakemi, 31, conspired with Akinniyi Temitope Latifat, 41, in procuring and recruiting Kehinde Mariam Opeyemi, 20, for exploitative labour in Libya. Additionally, Akinniyi Temitope Latifat was accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Kehinde Mariam to Libya for forced labour.
The offences, if proven, are punishable under Section 13(2)(c) of the Act.
During the court proceedings, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defence counsel, Taiwo Awokunle, moved a formal bail application, requesting the judge to admit the defendants to bail on liberal terms.
In response, Justice Mashkur Salisu granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N2 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned to February 12 for further hearings.
