Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a man, Muritala Sanni, who specialized in trafficking young ladies to Libya for prostitution, to 28 years imprisonment.

Delivering judgement in a 13-count criminal charge slammed on Sanni by the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the judge also imposed a fine of N2 million on the convict as compensation for victims of his atrocious act.

The convict was first arraigned before the court on October 18, 2021 in a charge marked FHC/L/32C/2021, for allegedly recruiting persons for prostitution; facilitating foreign trip or travel aimed at promoting prostitution, forcing persons into prostitution, organizing foreign travel which promote prostitution; subjecting persons and individuals into sexual exploitation; harbouring persons for the purpose of prostitution and hiring of persons to Libya to be used for forced labour.

Upon his arraignment, Sanni denied the alleged offences and was later admitted to bail under varying conditions. However, prior to commencement of his trial, the convict changed his plea and owned up to committing the alleged offences.

Consequently, the facts of the case were reviewed by the prosecution through one of its officers, Adijat Omolara.

In her review, Omolara, a Chief Intelligent Officer with NAPTIP, narrated how Sanni was arrested. She also tendered various exhibits to prove her case.

Afterwards, NAPTIP’s lawyer, Akinrinlola Oluwakemi, urged the court to convict and sentence Sanni in line with the Agency’s Act.

The lawyer also asked the court to impose fine on the convict as a way of compensating the victims of his heinous crime in accordance with provisions of Sections 65 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

Responding, defence lawyer, Chief Bello Saka Kayode, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client, saying he has regretted his action and promised not to engage in any criminal act again.

In his judgement, Justice Aluko convicted Sanni on 10 of the 13 counts. He was discharged and acquitted on three counts for wants of evidence.

“The convict was found guilty and convicted on counts one, two, three, four, five, six, eight, 10, 11 and 12 while he was discharged and acquitted on counts seven, nine and 13 in the absence of any credible evidence to sustain the three counts.

“The prosecution relying on the provision of Section 65 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, urged the court to award compensation in favour of victims of the criminal act of trafficking in persons committed by the convict for them to start a fresh life.

“I have considered the plea of allocutus made on behalf of the convict. I have considered the fact that he has been in custody since his apprehension.

“The court’s records does not indicate that he has any known previous criminal record before the commission of the offences for which he was convicted. He can therefore be presumed to be a first offender. I have taken into account all the mitigating factors mentioned and highlighted in Sections 311 (3) and 416 ACJA, 2015.

“Going by these provisions, the court has been encouraged to treat each case on its own merit. The court has been encouraged not to pass maximum sentence on a first offender. The period spent in prison custody shall be considered and computed while sentencing.

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“The court has been encouraged not to give consecutive sentences for two or more offences committed in the same transaction.

“Having considered all the above highlighted mitigating factors in addition to other consideration, I am of the considered view that the convict ought to be shown mercy as the phenomenon of mercy is that of God and does not belong to the ordinary mortals that we are.

“For the following reasons, the convict is hereby sentenced on each of the counts upon which he was convicted as follows: On count one, 2 years; count two, 4 years; count three, 2 years; count four, 4 years; count five, 2 years; count six, 2 years; count eight, 2 years; count ten, 4 years; count eleven, 2 years; count twelve, 4 years imprisonment”, the judge held.

The sentences were however to run concurrently.

On the issue of fine, Justice Aluko held: “Section 65(2) provides that where an offender is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may order the offender to pay compensation to the victim, in addition to any other punishment ordered by the court.

“Coming from the foregoing, I hold the view that the victims of the convict’s criminal acts are entitled to compensation. The sum of N2 million is hereby awarded as compensation in favour of the victims and against the convict”.

The Star