Lagos-based trader charged with human trafficking

Veronica Araba Arthur-Mensah, a trader in Lagos, Nigeria, on Wednesday appeared before Takoradi Circuit Court “A” for alleged human trafficking.

She pleaded not guilty.

The court granted her bail in the sum of GH¢4,000 with three sureties to re-appear on December 14.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Alice Parker-Wilson said the in the early hours of November  7, Isaac  Ofosu,  12 years, left  home at New Takoradi without the notice of her grandmother.

Chief Inspector Parker-Wilson said the grandmother combed the town in search for her grandson to no avail.

She said on November 9, the grandmother lodged a complainant with the Police.

While investigations were underway, the grandmother informed the Police that she has had wind that the accused person came to New Takoradi and lured her grandson and John Bowku alias Kwabena Mensah, 11 years and a son of a witness in the case, to Lagos for fishing expedition for a fee.

She said the Police visited the house of the accused to ascertain the truth of the report but the accused was not in.

Chief Inspector Parker-Wilson said intelligence gathered revealed that on November 7, the accused took the children into a boat at Abuesi Beach and left for Lagos.

She 18 days later, the accused person had wind that the Police was looking for her and quickly went to Lagos and brought back the children.

Chief Inspector Parker-Wilson said the children were medically examined at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital and found to be fit.

She said during interrogation, the accused admitted that she trafficked the children to Lagos for fishing expedition for a yearly fee and after further investigations, she was charged.

Source: GNA