The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has began the prosecution of a notorious trafficker of Nigerian young women from Nigeria to Spain, Patricia Igbinovia better known as Mama Bobby.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the director general of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi at a virtual meeting with stakeholders and partners of the agency to mark her first 100 days in office.
This is according to a statement by the agency’s Press Officer, Adekoye Vincent, titled ‘NAPTIP commences prosecution of Spain-based Nigerian trafficker.’
According to the DG, Igbinavia was arrested in a sting operation in Lagos when she sneaked into the country.
She also revealed that NAPTIP operatives had trailed the trafficker for a long time; and arranged for the detention of two of her gang members in Spain.
She said “The suspect has also been arraigned before Justice C. J. Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos in the charge marked Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Patricia Ekhoe Igbinovia (Aka Mama Bobby, Aka Audu Mariam Olayemi, FHC/L/345c/2021.
“She has also been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service while the matter is adjourned to January 17, 2022, for commencement of trial.
According to the DG, the ongoing prosecutions are in line with NAPTIP’s renewed strategy for enhanced prosecution of high–profile traffickers and cases of violence against persons in Nigeria.