She noted that human trafficking which has become embarrassing to the country was a heinous crime and urged stakeholders to close ranks in order to check the trend. She also assured that perpetrators would be punished accordingly.
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For quick dispensation of justice and disposal of human trafficking cases, the Chief Judge of Edo state, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, says two courts have been specially designated to hear such cases.
Ikponmwen made this disclosure on Wednesday in Benin, while receiving the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Julie Okah-Donli who paid her a courtesy visit.
She noted that human trafficking, which has become embarrassing to the country was a heinous crime and urged stakeholders to close ranks in order to check the trend. She also assured that perpetrators would be punished accordingly.
The chief judge enjoined fellow judges to rise above sentiments in the dispensation of justice, encouraging them to be firm and not swayed by name dropping.
In her own remark, the NAPTIP DG expressed appreciation to the Edo chief judge for dedicating the courts to cases of human trafficking for speedy dispensation of justice.
She advised that judges presiding over the courts should educate themselves on the NAPTIP Law 2015, in order to be properly guided in the discharge of their duties.
Okah-Donli pointed out that the law stipulates stringent penalty for human traffickers, and stressed that judges should be conversant with the NAPTIP Law.
She further appealed for speedy documentation of testimonies of victims to avoid them “caving in to threats from traffickers.’’
