A 56-year-old woman, Nma Lilian Achumba, has been remanded in the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Afara, Umuahia, Abia State on charges of recruiting and abducting 21 young girls for sexual exploitation and child trafficking.
Achumba, who previously operated the Nma Charity and Rehabilitation Centre in the state, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged crimes took place in Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, and Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the State in June 2023.
The case was heard in a Magistrate Court in Umuahia. The trial Magistrate, Ngozi Lekwa, stated that the offences are punishable under Section 13, Subsection 1, 2, and C of the Trafficking in Persons Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, and Section 86 of the Criminal Code, as applicable in Abia State.
However, the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to handle the matter. As a result, the court ordered the case file to be transferred to the office of the Department of Public Prosecution, Abia State Ministry of Justice, Umuahia.
The case has been adjourned until November 7, 2023, for a report of compliance, and Achumba remains in the Correctional Centre, Umuahia.
In response to the case, the Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechuckwu Uwanna, expressed the state’s determination to prosecute individuals involved in unlawful activities that tarnish the state’s image.
“The law must take its course,” Uwanna said, advising the public against engaging in illicit businesses.
Uwanna, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Vincent Chukwu, noted that there had been reports of similar issues in parts of Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North, and Umuahia North local government areas in Abia.
In June, troops from the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army base, Ohafia, raided Achumba’s facility and rescued 21 pregnant girls and two babies.
Following this, the state government withdrew the operational license of the centre for violating the rules set for such facility operators.
