Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has handed down a seven-year prison sentence to two women, Blessing Lucky and Joyce Okeke, for their involvement in recruiting young women for prostitution and sexual exploitation overseas.
Also known by the aliases Mary Frank and Eva, the defendants were each offered the alternative of paying a fine of N5 million by Justice Faji.
The duo was apprehended in 2023 by officers from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on charges related to human trafficking activities.
They were formally charged on May 19, 2023, facing a seven-count indictment that included conspiracy and trafficking in persons.
Initially, both women denied the allegations but later changed their pleas to guilty shortly before the trial began.
Following their admission, the prosecution, led by Michael Ojugbana, presented five witnesses and submitted multiple pieces of evidence, all of which were accepted by the court.
After reviewing the case, Justice Faji found the accused guilty and imposed sentences in line with the law.
The court sentenced the women to seven years imprisonment and a fine of N1 million on the seventh count, while counts four and six attracted five years imprisonment each along with fines of N2 million.
Regarding counts two and three, the judge noted that the legislation prescribes a maximum penalty but does not specify a minimum, allowing the court discretion to impose lesser sentences if deemed appropriate.
Justice Faji explained, “Having already imposed the minimum sentences for counts four and six, any additional penalties for counts two and three would not substantially alter the total sentence, especially considering the defendants are first-time offenders in their early twenties.”
He sentenced Blessing Lucky to six months imprisonment without a fine for count two, and imposed the same sentence on Joyce Okeke.
On the charge of conspiracy under count seven, the judge referenced the relevant statute, which holds that anyone conspiring to commit an offence under this Act is liable.
He emphasized that the core offence involved the defendants knowingly procuring a victim, Zara, with the intent that she would be exploited.
“There is clear evidence that the offence occurred, as the accused knowingly acquired Zara with the understanding of her impending exploitation. The substantive offences are detailed in counts four and six,” the judge stated.
“Given their guilty pleas, I hereby impose the penalties stipulated under section 21, which mandate a minimum imprisonment of five years and a fine of no less than two million naira,” Justice Faji concluded.
