56-Year-Old Woman Remanded In Prison For Alleged Child Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation

Umuahia, Abia State – A 56-year-old woman, Nma Lilian Achumba, has been remanded in the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Afara, Umuahia, following charges of recruiting and abducting 21 young girls for sexual exploitation and child trafficking.

The accused stands accused of recruiting and abducting young girls and subjecting them to sexual exploitation in Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, and Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the State in June 2023.

However, Nma Lilian Achumba, who had previously operated the Nma Charity and Rehabilitation Centre in Abia State, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following her plea, the trial Magistrate, Ngozi Lekwa, highlighted that the offences are punishable under Section 13, Subsection 1, 2, and C of the Trafficking in Persons Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, as well as Section 86 of the Criminal Code, as applicable in Abia State.

She noted that the Magistrate Court lacked the jurisdiction to handle the matter.

Consequently, the court ordered that the case file be transferred to the office of the Department of Public Prosecution, Abia State Ministry of Justice, Umuahia.

The matter was adjourned until November 7, 2023, for a report of compliance, with Nma Achumba remanded in the Correctional Centre, Umuahia.

In response to the case, the Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechuckwu Uwanna, expressed the state’s determination to prosecute individuals involved in unlawful and disreputable activities that tarnish the state’s image.

The Attorney General, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Vincent Chukwu, drew attention to reports of similar issues occurring in some areas of Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North, and Umuahia North local government areas in Abia.

Uwanna assured that the law must take its course and advised the Abia public against engaging in illicit businesses.