A man who allegedly impersonated a Nigerian Army officer has been arraigned for human trafficking in Benin City. Kilo Ken, also known as Kingsley Egharevba, was charged by the Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at the National Industrial Court. The suspect allegedly pretended to be an Army officer while carrying out his crimes before being apprehended by Army officers and handed over to NAPTIP for prosecution.
Kilo Ken has been charged with assisting one Nifemi Afolabi, also known as Halima, who is now at large. The charges include organizing foreign travel for a victim, promoting prostitution and knowing that the victim would be forced into prostitution in Libya. Despite the charges, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the offenses when they were read to him.
According to NAPTIP counsel, Mrs. Oburoh Victoria Okanigbuan, the charges against the suspect are contrary to and punishable under sections 18 and 14(b) of the trafficking in persons Prohibition enforcement and administrative Act, 2015. Okanigbuan stated that the crimes took place in Benin City in October 2019.
Justice A. Adewemimo, the presiding judge, has adjourned the case to June 15, 2023, for hearing. The suspect has been ordered to continue with the administrative bail until the application for his bail is formally filed before the court.
The act of human trafficking is a serious offense that needs to be addressed to curb the menace in the country. It is reassuring to see that NAPTIP is working tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. The judicial system also plays a critical role in ensuring that justice is served, and it is hoped that the proceedings in this case will be transparent and fair to all parties involved