Court remands businesswoman for alleged human trafficking

A businesswoman, Ruth Tarhemba, is facing charges of criminal conspiracy and human trafficking after allegedly facilitating the prostitution of two girls. A Chief Magistrate's Court in Makurdi, Benue State, ordered her remand in the Nigerian Correctional Service pending further proceedings.

The case was brought to the court by Inspector James Kuegh, who stated that the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi received a report from a complainant, Yaaya Sughnen. According to the prosecutor, Sughnen reported that the two victims, who had previously escaped traffickers in Burkina Faso, recounted their ordeal to him on May 7. The police subsequently arrested Tarhemba during their investigation.

When the case was presented, Chief Magistrate Regina Alashi noted that the court did not have the jurisdiction to take Ms. Tarhemba's plea. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to July 20 for further mention. The charges against Ms. Tarhemba contravene provisions of Sections 97 and 282 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State, 2004.

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on 7 May, the two victims, who had earlier escaped from their traffickers in Burkina Faso, told him about their ordeal.