National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced the rescue of 9 pregnant girls at a suspected baby factory located inside one of the sprawling estates in Ushafa area of Abuja.
The victims were locked up in a rented apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified suspected trafficking agent after recruiting them through an online platform.
The raid on the facility by operatives of NAPTIP followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed the unusual situation and movement around the area, NAPTIP spokesman, Vincent Adekoga said in a statement on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting at Gudu, presided over by Justice Adebiyi Osolo, has sentenced a prominent Church Founder and Bishop of a popular congregation in Abuja, Bishop Kenneth Duke, to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine, for rape.
The 52-year-old convict, an indigene of Cross-River State, was dragged to Court by the NAPTIP, for raping a 12-year-old girl (Name withheld), the daughter of his church member who was entrusted under the care of his family.
In case no: CR/702/2023 Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Bishop Kenneth Duke, the Defendant was arraigned before Court 16 on 02/11/2023 on a 2-count charge for offence of rape and intentionally caused emotional and psychological abuse on the victim.
The offence stated that the convict who lives behind Dantata Construction Company, Dakwa, Abuja, on 6th March 2023, penetrated the vagina of the victim (name withheld) with his penis without the consent of the victim thereby committing an offence punishable under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
Investigation revealed that the victim, an indigene of Ondo State was living in Lagos before she was brought to Abuja to live with her mother.
Speaking on the conviction, director-general of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed gratitude to the Judiciary for the landmark judgment saying that it will serve as a deterrent to others.
“I want to sincerely thank the Judiciary for this judgment. It will certainly serve as a deterrent to other people. Like, I warned a few weeks ago, NAPTIP will not spare anyone found to have violated any of the Laws irrespective of status, either on human trafficking or violence against persons.
“Rape is a serious crime with everlasting psychological effect and lasting trauma on the victim. We must all rise to say no to this heinous crime and ensure the protection of our Children.
“How, can you imagine a 52 years old man violating a 12-year-old girl? It is painful and it is criminal. I am relieved that the Judiciary has served the convict the commensurable dose of punishment for his action. This is a warning to others”, the Director General stated,” she stated.
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