The Ekiti State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division over alleged human trafficking and related offences.
The suspects, a couple, Akinyemi Sunday, 53, and Akinyemi Bisi, 40, were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on recruitment, facilitation, exploitation and forced labour involving a victim.
Also arraigned was a popular Prophet Hezekiah Olusoji, also known as Orimikoya, 39, of Erio Ekiti, who is accused of recruiting, transporting and facilitating the movement of a 17-year-old girl, Leah John and five others to Libya for the purpose of exploitation in 2021.
According to the five count charge, the alleged offence contravenes various Section of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and is punishable under the same Act.
The three defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their arraignment, Justice M. U. Abubakar ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the case until Wednesday, July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
