Group Calls for Training of Judges in Tackling Cases of Human Trafficking

The need for training of Judges on issues relating to human trafficking, was the hallmark of a three day symposium and training programme for officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Participants at the symposium and training programme tagged, ‘Global Trends in Combatting the Scourge of Human Trafficking’, were unanimous in recommending that Judges are acquainted with a full understanding of the networks and networking involved in the heinous crime of human trafficking, if the current efforts at tackling the menace must produce desirable results.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of the training programme in Abuja, a facilitator and Local Coordinator of Conference of Western Attorneys General African Alliance Partnership, CWAG APP, organisers of the training, Ebelechukwu Enedah, said that all efforts at taming the scourge of human trafficking, would amount to very little if justice is not achieved at the end of the day.

“The recommendation that came out of here, is that there should be a training for the Judges, because after investigation, if you don't have a judiciary that understands the special

nature of human trafficking cases, of course, the charges are going to get thrown out; and if the perpetrators are not punished, everybody will go on and be doing what they are doing”, she said.

Enedah, noted that all over the world, countries and state governments are waking up to the scourge, and understanding the impact of human trafficking on the economy and the human race, adding that it is necessary to carry everyone on board, in order to rid the world free of criminal elements involved in trafficking.

She expressed confidence, that the training would enhance the work of NAPTIP staff in areas of investigation and prosecution, especially owing to the vast experiences they have been privileged to draw from their counterparts from the United States.

According to her CWAG APP collaborates with African Ministries of Justice, Attorneys General, Solicitors General, and Public Prosecution agencies, to share knowledge and experience in the fight against crimes like human trafficking, corruption, money laundering, and cyber-crime and other cross border criminal activity.

“The training would enhance the work of NAPTIP staff, because I believe that the cross pollination of ideas has made the officers disclose their challenges, and the US was able to share their challenges and areas they have recorded so much success, and there was dawning of new knowledge”, she added.

Earlier, NAPTIP’s Director General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed that the Agency in pursuit of its mandate to coordinate all issues relating to Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria, is poised to harness all available instruments to effectively tackle the menace of human trafficking.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Combatting the Scourge of Human Trafficking: The Journey so Far’, the DG said the menace of human trafficking is a huge challenge before the country, with serious security implications.

She disclosed that in combatting human trafficking, NAPTIP had put in place various National Policies ranging from prevention, protection, and prosecution of traffickers.

"Since inception, the Agency has successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases and obtained 335 convictions as at December 2017, and now 338.

"The traffickers are serving various jail terms in different States of the Federation and abroad, and other cases that are pending in various courts, are at different stages of disposal/judgement.

"Assets of convicted traffickers, have been forfeited to the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund on the orders of the court", she said.

While thanking the Conference of West African Attorneys General, Africa Alliance Partnership for the workshop, Okah-Donli, described the event as a child of necessity as it seeks to create awareness on the subject-matter of human trafficking in Nigeria, by enhancing the knowledge, depth and expertise required to effect positive changes in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

On his part, a Board member of CWAG, Markus Green, stated that perpetrators of human trafficking, also use it as a cover up for other frauds such as money laundering, drug pushing amongst others.

He disclosed that, over $150bn is generated annually by perpetrators whose activities and crimes pose serious security threats, adding that with the training, NAPTIP officials would be more equipped in tackling the menace.