A 56-year-old woman named Nma Achumba has been remanded in Nigeria Correctional Centre, Afara, Umuahia.
This followed allegations of recruiting and abducting 21 young girls for sexual exploitation and child trafficking.
The charges against her claim that she committed these crimes in Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, and Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the State in June, 2023.
Not Guilty
Despite the accusations, the accused woman pleaded not guilty in court.
The trial Magistrate, Ngozi Lekwa, ruled that the offense falls under Section 13, Sub-section 1, 2, and C of the Trafficking in Persons Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
Also, her alleged crime falls under Section 86 of the Criminal Code applicable in Abia State.
However, the Magistrate Court lacked the jurisdiction to handle the case.
Umuahia Will Serve Justice
Therefore, the court ordered the transfer of the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution in the Abia State Ministry of Justice, Umuahia.
The matter has been adjourned to November 7, 2023, for the report of compliance, while Nma Achumba has been remanded in the Correctional Centre, Umuahia.
While Nigerians await the said date, the Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechuckwu Uwanna, expressed the state’s determination to prosecute individuals involved in illegal activities that could tarnish the state’s image.
He emphasised that certain reports of similar issues had already been received from parts of Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North, and Umuahia North local government areas of Abia.
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Uwanna assured Nigerians that the law must take its course and advised the public against engaging in illicit businesses.
There is a growing case of women going for cryptic pregnancy in the east, with many of them not aware of the true state of things.
It is not clear if this is a case of illicit child transfer to women who are looking for babies by all means.
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