Man, 38, jailed 12 years for human trafficking

Army arrests 26-year-old armed robbery suspect
Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has sentenced 38-year-old Samuel Papa to 12 years for human trafficking.

The convict, who was on bail from the Benin City zonal office of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for a previous offence, faced a three-count amended charge of facilitating the trafficking of 20-year-old Cynthia Ude to Mali, a West African country.

Adegoke found Papa guilty of Count 2 bordering on facilitating foreign travel, which promotes prostitution.

She ruled, “From the totality of evidence adduced by the prosecution, I hold the view that the convict is guilty of counts one and two and is hereby sentenced to five years for one and seven years for two. Both sentences are to run concurrently.”

But Legal Aid Council pleaded for leniency on behalf of the convict, adding: “The convict had not seen his pregnant wife who had given birth since 2017 when he was incarcerated.”

In another development, troops of 63 Brigade on Operation Checkmate have arrested a 26-year-old armed robbery suspect, Sunday Uzoigbu, in Asaba.

The feat was achieved on Sunday during a routine patrol along Anwai Road, Asaba.

An informed military source identified the suspect as an indigene of Ihiala Council, Anambra State, resident at Ugwugbolo area off Anwai Road.

He said, “The suspect, who was armed with a pump action gun, was apprehended in an attempt to rob locals at gunpoint.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was a member of an armed robbery gang that operated within Asaba and environs.

“The suspect, also confessed that he snatched the Huawei handset found in his possession before his arrest at Nnebisi/Ogbogonogo area of Asaba in collaboration with his accomplice who is at large,” he added.

Items recovered from the suspect include one pump action gun (KRAL with registration number 5455).

The suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.