Daughter of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade I, Princess Folasade Olufunke Bankole, and one other person, on Wednesday were brought before the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan for human trafficking by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).
The charge number FHC/IB/65c/2011, stated that Princess Folasade Bankole, aged 57 of No 42c, Ladoke Akintola Street ,,Bodija, Ibadan and Folasade Adunni, alias Iya Ofiki, aged 49 of Sango area Saki ,Oyo State on or about January at number 42c, Ladoke Akintola Street, Bodija, Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, required Rukayat Isiaka, female ,12 years of age of Republic of Benin to be used for forced labour in Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (1) (a) of the trafficking in persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 as amended and punishable under the Act.
On count two, Folashade Bankole, of the same address and in the same jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, employed Rukayat Isiaka, from Republic of Benin as a domestic help outside her own home and from the family environment and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (1) (d) of the traffic in persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 as amended and punishable under the same section of the Act. At yesterday’s trial, the two accused pleaded not guilty to the two count charge.
The trial Judge, Justice Jonathan Shakarho, asked the counsel in the case whether the allegation leveled against the two accused was a bailable one. The prosecution counsel, Barrister Ganiyu Oluwarotimi, told the court that the accused were charged under Section 22 (1) (A) of Human Trafficking Act, which carries a five year jail term with option of fine. The judge then granted the two accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum while the surety must submit his or her passport photographs. Justice Sharkaho adjourned the case to January 25, 2012 for hearing.