2 Men Bag 21 Years Jail-Term For Human Trafficking

2 Men Bag 21 Years Jail-Term For Human Trafficking

Justice AbdulAzeez Anka of a Lagos Federal High Court, today, convicted and sentenced two men, Alatise Oluwasanmi Samuel and Olusegun Richards Ologbe, a.k.a. Sugar, to a total of 21 years imprisonment for human trafficking.

The two convicts, who were residents of 6, (Isheri), Saviour street, Isheri Idimu, and 11, Folawewo Street,Allen, Ikeja, Lagos, respectively, were given the jail-term, after the trial judge pronounced them guilty of charges of conspiracy, promoting prostitution and attempted to facilitate the entry of Okeda Mercy (A.K.A Alatise Bola) into France for prostitution.

To convict the two men, Justice Anka held that the prosecution has successfully proved the three counts charge against them beyond every reasonable doubt, adding that he has no doubt of involvement of the convicts of the allegations made against them.

The judge however dismissed all the defence put up by the convicts. 

Consequently, Justice Anka sentenced the two men to five years in both counts one and three of the charge and gave them seven years on count two.

The judge however held that the convicts’ jail-term shall run concurrently and to start from today.

The two convicts were dragged before the court sometimes in 2017, by NAPTIP on charges bordering on conspiracy, promoting prostitution and attempted to facilitate the entry of Okeda Mercy (A.K.A Alatise Bola) into France for prostitution.

They were said to have committed the offences with a man called Billion, who is said to be at large.

Th offences according to the prosecutor, Becky Dibo, are contrary to 29 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. 2015 and punishable under Section 25 (2), to 29 and 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. 2015.

The convicts had pleaded not guilty to the charge upon arraignment, and they were admitted to bail in various terms.

During the convicts’ trial, the prosecutor had told the court how they procure Okeda Mercy, also known as Alatise Bola, whom they attempted to traffic to France, for the purpose of engaging her in prostitution.

She had also called two witnesses, the victim of the crime, Okeda Mercy (A.K.A Alatise Bola) and the arresting officer who also doubled as the Investigation Officer (IO) who testified against the convicts’ while also tendered several documents which were admitted by the court. While the convicts were the only ones that testified in their defence.

Count one of The Charges Against The Convicts Read; “that you Alatise Oluwasanmi Samuel, Male, 44 years ‘old, of No 6, (Isheri), Saviour street, Isheri Idimu, Lagos , Olusegun Richards Ologbe (A.K.A Sugar) Male, 47 years old, of No 11, Folawewo St Allen, Ikeja, Lagos and Billion (at large) on or abcut the month of October, 2016 at No 6, (Isheri), Saviour street, Isheri Idimu, Lagos within the jurisdiction of-the Federal-High Court engaged in fraudulent acts and attempted to facilitate the entry of Okeda Mercy (A.K.A Alatise Bola) into France where she is not a national or a permanent resident with intent to obtain financial bencfits and thereby commicted an offence contrary to Section 29 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. 2015 and punishable under Section 25 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. 2015”.

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