Couple, three others arraigned over human trafficking, impersonation

A couple and three others were on Wednesday charged before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over human trafficking.
The accused are Ayinmola Alabi, 44, a petroleum marketer; his wife, Toyin, 44; and Emmanuel Danmole, 35.
Others are Samuel Aworawo, 42; and Ayodeji Olatunde, 38.
The accused are facing a three-count charge of human trafficking, forgery and impersonation.
The prosecutor, SP Frank Emerho of the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, told the court that the accused conspired to commit the offences on or before November 16, 2013 on Lagos Island.
Emerho said the accused with Jonathan Aworawo and Anthonia Aworawo, still at large, brought two women – Uwailomwom Aisosa and Endurance Osaigede – from Edo State to Lagos  State for a “job”.
Emerho said the accused promised them juicy jobs in Italy.
According to Emerho, Alabi and his wife presented the ladies as their daughters at the Italian Consulate in Lagos.
He added: “Aisosa was presented as Rachel Alabi, while Osaigede was presented as Rita Alabi.
“The couple in their visa application claimed that the young ladies were students of Lead City University, Ibadan.
“The staff of Italian Consulate, however, became suspicious and alerted the authorities.”
He said the offences contravened Sections 274 (7), (8), (9); 374 (3) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 274 prescribes 14 years imprisonment for human trafficking.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Adeola Adedayo, granted the Alabis bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
She granted Danmole bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum while Aworawo and Olatunde were admitted to a bail of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
The magistrate adjourned the case to February 10 for mention.