Human Trafficking: Court Extradites Nigerian Fugitive, Asemota to the UK
Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 ordered the extradition of one Franca Asemota, a Nigerian fugitive whose extradition is being sought through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the United Kingdom for offences bordering on trafficking of minors.
Asemota, 36, is wanted by the UK government for trafficking of minors to Europe through London.
She was accused of allegedly organising a network that trafficked young women, mostly teenagers, from remote Nigerian villages into Europe using Heathrow airport as a transit hub.
The girls were promised education or jobs such as hairdressing in countries including France and Spain, but were forced into prostitution
However, the long arm of the law caught up with Asemota when she was arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 24, 2015 in Benin , Edo State on suspicion of money laundering offences.
On arrest, checks on her profile revealed that, she had been on the wanted list of the National Crime Agency, NCA.
When the case came up on Monday, January 11, 2016, Asemota’s counsel, Ugochukwu Ezekiel prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable her seek medical attention as she had spent almost a year in custody.
Akuta Pius Ukeyima from the office of the AGF however, opposed the application saying that, it would be better to ask for a short date for ruling on the substantive matter.
Consequently, Justice Kafarati adjourned to today for ruling.
At the resumerd sitting, Justice Kafarati granted the extradition request and ordered that the accused be extradited to the United Kingdom to face trial for the charges filed against her.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
13th January, 2016