By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and destination Countries that will lead to seizure and confiscation of assets of traffickers through judicial process.
The Director General of NAPTIP, Mrs. Dame Julie Okah-Donli disclosed this while delivering a Lecture on Youth Migration, Deportation and Rehabilitation: The way forward” to mark the 6th Birthday of a Benin-based Business Mongol, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, at Ugbowo University of Benin (UNIBEN).
She advised forfeiture from international traffickers and their collaborators should be returned to Nigeria and converted to victims of trafficking trust fund based on mutual respect.
The Director General advocated investigation and prosecution of nationals of destination Countries directly or indirectly involved human trafficking and other related crimes, adding that full disclosure in prosecution of offenders would eliminate one-sided prosecution.
According to her, “Strengthening existing partnership between Nigeria and destination Countries based on mutual respect, sign MoU’s, seizure and confiscation of assets of traffickers though judicial processes as well as their forfeiture to the victims of trafficking trust fund.
She was of the opinion that the enactment and enforcement of laws and policies to curb the demand for illicit sex and other related issues that encourage trafficking of people, especially young women and the establishment of framework for safe return of victims of human trafficking who volunteer to return home would be pursued vigorously.
Mrs. Okah-Donli stated that 339 persons have been tried in court or sentence by the Agency, while over 13, 000 victims of human trafficking have passed through NAPTIP shelters.
Earlier in a remark, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Faraday Orumwense described the lecture as apt in view of the changing times and contemporary challenges.
He described Captain Idahosa as a philanthropist per excellence who has used his wealth to help the downtrodden in society.
Responding, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo who became the ambassador against human trafficking and illegal Migration, urged Nigerian youths to see hard work, good virtue and morals as the basis for success.
He also challenged parents/Guardians and Academic to deliver value to the Nigerian Child.
