Court Adjourns Judgement on Human Trafficking Case to April 10

A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta has fixed April 10 for sentence hearing on a case involving Christiana Uadiale, 47 years for human trafficking.

The Presiding Judge, Justice F.A.Olubanjo, who deferred the judgement on Thursday in Asaba, said that the adjoined date would enable the court establish the case and take decisive decision on the matter.

She noted that given the plea by both the prosecution and the defence counsels, there was need to hear from at least one witness each from both sides to ascertain the reasons why the defendant jumped bail and the issues about her rearrest.

The Prosecution Counsel, Tonia Mgbemeje, an Assistant Director, Legal, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), had pleaded the court to sentence and demand compensation for the resuscitating of the victims for damages caused them in accordance with sections 319 and 321 of the administration of criminal justice Act of 2015.

However, the defence counsel, Emmanuel Afolabi, said the woman had been convicted of her crime and the stigma would hunt her, but as first time offender, the court should temper justice with mercy.
He pleaded with the court to consider option of fine instead of imprisonment because the defendant was a single mother, and was arrested with her 7-year-old son.

According to Afolabi, the defendant jumped bail for health reasons and the evidence are available and as a first time offender, the issue is not a capital offence, the court should temper justice with mercy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Christiana Jacob Uadiale of No. 3B Ogbeide Street, Oko Central Airport Road, Benin City, was found guilty of the six counts charge raised against her at the FHC, Asaba, presided over by Justice F.A. Olubanjo on March 21, 2024.

According to the charge No: FCH/ASB/41C/2020, the charge against the defendant was first brought on Nov. 25, 2020 bothering on six counts charge in act of trafficking in person, inducement into prostitution, sexual exploitation in Dubai, among others.

Based on the charges, the defendant, was said to have committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13(4)(c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.

When the defendant was first arraigned before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on Feb. 10, 2021, she pleaded not guilty to the six count charges, then she was admitted to bail and was released on the recognizance of her lawyer, C.D.S. Omon-Irabor for three working days to perfect bail conditions.

According to Justice Olubanjo, the defendant was arraigned before her (Olubanjo) when she resumed in Asaba Division on July 14, 2021 and she (defendant) pleaded not guilty to each of the counts.

“So, when the defence council applied that the defendant should be allowed to continue on existing bail condition, the prosecutor did not object and this court granted the application with the existing conditions.

” The court was not informed that bail conditions had not yet been perfected and defendant (Christiana Uadiale) was still enjoying her freedom based on her released to her counsel.

“On Nov. 3, 2021, the defendant was absent from court and her counsel, C.D.S. Omon-Irabor informed this court that she (defendant) was ill, graphically described her ailment.

“No medical report and no surety had sworn to fresh affidavit as ordered by this court.”

Olubanjo, said that it was, however, revealed that defendant’s bail condition had not been perfected as at Dec. 6, 2021, and there was no surety to hold responsible for defendant’s absence.

” So, on May 18, 2022, the court was informed that NAPTIP had liaised with interpol for the arrest of the defendant, who had left the country.

“The prosecution, therefore, applied that the court should conduct the defendant’s trail in her absence in accordance with Section 352(4) of the Adminstration of Criminal. Justice Act 2015. This was granted.

” Trial in absentia commenced on March 29, 2023, and between then and Feb. 1, 2024, the prosecution counsel called three witnesses and tendered exhibits P1 to P8.

“I am of the firm view that the prosecution has proved each of the offences stated in each of the six count beyond reasonable doubt.

” The defendant ((Christiana Uadiale) is therefore, found guilty on each of the six count charge.
“She ((Christiana Uadiale) shall be sentenced when she is rearrested or submits herself to the custody of this honourable court,” Justice Olubanjo said.

NAN reports that with the rearrest of Christiana Uadiale on landing at the Abuja Airport, by NAPTIP, on her way to Agbor, in Delta for the Christmas celebration, she was remanded at the Agbor correctional centre from where she was arraigned at the court on Thursday.

And with the adjournment of hearing, the defendant has also been remanded at the Agbor Correctional centre till April 10.