Abia State government has expressed its determination to prosecute those involved in dirty and illegal businesses capable of bringing disrepute to the image of the state. The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Ikechukwu Uwanna who gave the warning after observing the prosecution of a suspect, Nma Achumba at the High Court complex, Umuahia, accused of child trafficking and sexual exploitation.
The Attorney General who was represented by the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) in the ministry – Mr. Vincent Chukwu described the case as child abuse, noting that there have been reports of pockets of such issues in some parts of Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and Umuahia North Local Government Areas.
He assured that the Law must take its cause on the matter and discouraged the public against illicit business. Ruling on the matter earlier, the Trial Magistrate, Ngozi Lekwa noted that the matter is punishable under section 13, sub-1, 2b and c of Trafficking in Persons Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 and section 86 of the criminal code as applicable in Abia State and however pointed out that the Court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter.
The Magistrate therefore ordered that the Case file be transferred to the office of the DPP in the Ministry of Justice Umuahia for further prosecution and remanded the suspect at the Afara Correctional Center Umuahia. The matter was adjourned to the 7th of next month (7/11/2023) for report of Compliance.
The 56- year –old defendant who pleaded innocent on the matter was accused of allegedly recruiting and abducting 21 young girls for sexual exploitation at Umunkpeyi Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa North local government area and at Olokoro in Umuahia South local government area on the 11th of June this year.
