A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi, on Monday ordered that a businesswoman, Ruth Tarhemba should be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service for allegedly trafficking two girls for prostitution.
The police charged Tarhemba who lives in Makurdi with criminal conspiracy and human trafficking.
However, when the case was mentioned, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Regina Alashi did not take her plea for want in jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Alashi adjourned the matter until July 20, 2026 for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp James Kuegh told the court that the case was reported at the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi by Yaaya Sughnen.
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Kuegh said the complainant stated that on May 7, the two victims, who had earlier escaped from the clutches of their traffickers in Burkina Faso, told him about their ordeal.
The prosecutor said the defendant was arrested during police investigation for committing the crime.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 282 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.(NAN)
