On Thursday, January 24, two women, Akinniyi Temitope, 41, and Abiodun Oluwakemi, 31, appeared before a Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, facing charges related to human trafficking.
According to the charges, the women allegedly conspired to traffic a 20-year-old, Kehinde Opeyemi, a resident of Osogbo, to Libya for exploitative labor.
The charge sheet, signed by prosecuting counsel Jude Ajaegbu and Umar Hammanjuda on behalf of the complainant, outlined the accusations. It stated, “That you, Abiodun Babalola Oluwakemi, ‘F’, 31 years, sometime in November 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, conspired with one Akinniyi Temitope Latifat, ‘F’, 41 years, in procuring and recruiting one Kehinde Mariam Opeyemi, ‘F’, 20 years, for exploitative labor to Libya. That you, Akinniyi Temitope Latifa, (41), facilitated the illegal entry of one Kehinde Mariam to Libya for forced labor.”
The charges were in violation of Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, as well as Section 27 of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015. The offenses were said to be punishable under Section 13(2)(c) of the Act.
Upon being read the charges, the defendants pleaded not guilty. The defense counsel, Taiwo Awokunle, then presented a formal bail application, requesting the judge to admit them to bail on liberal terms. Ruling on the application, Justice Mashkur Salisu granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to February 12 for a hearing.
