A Federal Capital Territory high court, Abuja has cleared the President of Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), Innocent Audu and three others of criminal allegation of human trafficking.
The presiding judge, Justice Charles Agbaza discharged and acquitted Audu and others on the ground that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.
Also Read: NAPTIP DG Accuses Judiciary Of Frustrating Fight Against Human Trafficking
The workers involved are the Chief Accountant Innocent Bola-Audu, who was sacked recently as President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, and an Assistant Executive Officer Cecilia Aneke.
The office of the AGF had issued queries to the two workers following a letter by NAPTIP to the AGF accusing them of human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges after being arraigned on 7th July, 2021 and were subsequently granted bail.
After parties argued their briefs of argument, the defendants through their counsel filed a no case submission.
Justice Agbaza, in his ruling held that the prosecution clearly failed to link the defendants with the offence and there is no evidence before the court linking the defendants with the offence. He therefore discharged and acquitted the defendants
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
