Christy Gold, the leader of an International Human
Trafficking network operating across the Middle Eastern countries with an
operational base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai, has been
arrested.
Also known as Uadiale Christiana Jacob, she is a
senior member of an organised human trafficking syndicate notorious for the
recruitment, trafficking and sexual exploitation of underage Nigerian girls in
the UAE.
Ms Gold, who is also called Christy Evan Osagie, has
been on the wanted list of the National Agency for the Prohibition of
Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for the past five years.
She was arrested and handed over to NAPTIP by Officers
of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on duty at the Nnamdi Azikwe
International Airport, Abuja, on 31 December 2024, on arrival from Dubai for
the New Year celebration.
Her suspected other accomplices, one Michael Nduka,
Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John in Lagos, along with others
who are field officers who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of
victims to her (Christy Gold), are still on the run.
NAPTIP announced her arrest and criminal antecedents
in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday.
On 13 October 2020, she was arrested by NAPTIP in the
Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City, for her involvement in the trafficking of
underaged Nigerian girls to Dubai for forced prostitution.
She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba,
Delta State, on 25 November 2020, where she was granted bail.
NANTIP said she violated the bail terms and absconded
to Dubai. After failing to appear before the Court, the sitting Judge issued a
Bench Warrant for her arrest on 3 November 2021.
To bring her to justice for her crimes, NAPTIP said it
sought the assistance and collaboration of the Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of the Federation, the National Central Bureau (NCB), INTERPOL Nigeria,
the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),
and the United Arab Emirates Police for her arrest and extradition to Nigeria.
Even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not
relent. Ms Gold was convicted of human trafficking in absentia by Justice F . A
Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on 21 March 2024, with
sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the
Honourable Court.
Luck ran out on her on New Year’s Eve, when Nigeria
Immigration Service officers acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for
watchlisting dated 22 February 2023 nabbed her upon her arrival in Nigeria.
Speaking on the development, Director General of
NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Immigration
Service for apprehending the fleeing human trafficking convict, saying that it
was a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.
‘‘The convict arrested and convicted will indeed be
taken to the Court to face the sentence by the Law. This is a clear message to
other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run:
They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever. We have already
activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatuses, and our partners
worldwide are looking for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them.
“I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in
the country in 2024, and we promise them hell in 2025. We are more determined
and will be more decisive this year to fish them out and ensure the protection
of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence against persons,’’
the Director General stated.
Comments:
Leave a Reply