The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network(CRRAN), a coalition of human rights lawyers, on Saturday asked the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to investigate a suspected case of sexual exploitation and trafficking surrounding the Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant.

The development followed the circulation of an online lesbian sex video involving the winner of the 2015 edition of the pageant, Miss Chidimma Okeke. In the petition, the group said there are strong indications that the organisers of the pageant are sexually exploiting young girls who participate in the beauty contest.

President of CRRAN, Olu Omotayo, urged NAPTIP to prosecute masterminds of the alleged sexual exploitation. Omotayo, in the petition, also urged the relevant authorities to ban the Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant.

He expressed regrets that the pageant, which was established by a government agency – Anambra State Broadcasting Service – has turned into an avenue for sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Parts of the petition read: “Recent happenings which led to the online circulation of nude pictures and video of the said Miss Anambra pageant queen 2015, Miss Chidimma Okeke, have shown prima facie that the organisers of the pageant are using the avenue to sexually exploit young innocent girls of South East Nigeria.

“The purpose for which the state government established the pageant has been defeated because it could no longer be said that the pageant is promoting morality, culture of the people or empowering the female youths of this zone.

“We submit that the incident is sexual exploitation and slavery of young female persons. We urge you to urgently commence thorough investigation into this barbaric competition and make those behind it face the full wrath of the law.

“It becomes more worrisome when it is an agency of the state government that is involved in a dastardly act of this nature. This is a serious embarrassment to the whole nation. The government should immediately ban the said pageant.”

Meanwhile a source told vanguardngr.com that it was a case of investment gone wrong. The source said a chief sponsored Chidinma for the event and after she had won, she has refused to pay her vow.

The source said: “First, this is an investment gone wrong. Chief (name not disclosed) sponsored Chidinma Okeke to win the pageant. Chief spent up to N 2million to ensure she emerged as the winner against other beautiful contestants. Chief also budgeted for her wardrobe and makeover pre and post beauty contest. The money was released in trenches to Miss Anambra. Chief also took her to various countries including Germany where she met other models based on the contract terms which Miss Chidinma signed with Chief.

“Part of the agreement stipulates that Chief would make her a big model and whatever proceeds that come during her reign would be shared as specified in the contract terms. Chidinma consented and signed the deal.

“Chidinma emerged as the winner of Miss Anambra, got higher connections and wanted to opt out from the contract without repaying all the expenses Chief incurred. Chief warned of the consequences, but she remained adamant. Chief released a picture to her requesting she comply with the payment and remit the money she is holding before her tenure comes to an end. Chidinma feigned ignorance and even boasted that Chief cannot do anything.

It was alleged that she disclosed to a close friend that if chief tried to do anything, they would get him arrested. That was the beginning of the leak. Information available also claimed that the current trending video online is mild. That they have one showing longer secx action by Chidinma.

“Based on the above information, and the fact that Chidinma was a consenting adult as at the time the contract was signed, which reasonably supports the logic behind Chidinma’s silence towards naming the perpetrators; I will advise the family to quit the threat they are making to the man and settle this amicably off the media to avoid further embarrassment for my state, other ‘responsible’ beauty pageants because this is seriously casting them in bad light.”