Two convictions have been obtained by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in charge No: FHC/UY/06/2024 at the Uyo Zonal Command, as revealed by Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, the Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, in a statement issued in Uyo.
On February 7, Udobong Udofia and Nsidong Eduogo were arrested for sexually assaulting an orphan named Utitofon Bassey, resulting in charges related to trafficking in persons under Section 13(2)b of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
According to the statement, “Today, May 8, 2024, the Uyo Zonal Command secured conviction in Charge NO: FHC/UY/06/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Udobong Etim Udofia & Nsidong Abasiama Eduogo filed on the 7th of Feb. 7, 2024.
“The defendants, aged 45 and 40, respectively, sexually assaulted an orphan, Utitofon Okon Bassey, an 11-year-old female.
“The defendants faced charges related to trafficking in persons by means of threat and abuse of position of vulnerability contrary to Section 13 (2)b of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and Sexual Exploitation contrary to Section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
Justice M. A. Onyetenu remarked that the Defendants warranted a more severe punishment for their atrocious crimes than what the Law allows.”