Court convicts three siblings for 16 years in Belgium as mother faces trial

... fine them €264,000 

By Editor 

June 02, 2023

Three children of a suspected human trafficker, Felicia Osaigbovo, 62, aka Mama Masha were among the 12 Nigerians sentenced to various years jail term by a Belgium court for human trafficking. 

The three children of the suspect were also fined €264,000 by the court. 

Hendriks William, Belgium Chief Inspector, (First Detective) made the disclosure at a  Benin High court while testifying against the suspect who is standing trial over alleged recruiting and trafficking of young girls to Belgium for prostitution and sexual exploitation. 

Hendriks testified before the court on the involvement of the suspect on human trafficking syndicate on a suit filed against her by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). 

DailyMonitorngr reports that the suspect is facing a 24-count charge bothering on recruiting and  organizing travelling for young girls for prostitution in Belguim contrary to section 13(14)c of the trafficking in person (Prohibition) enforcement and administration act. 

He said Belgium government has already convicted 12 of her collaborators including her  three children after thorough investigation. 

The Belgium Chief Inspector listed the suspect's three children convicted to include Aigbe Egberanmwen, six years with €108,000 fine, Aigbe Daniel, five years with €48,000 and Osaigbovo Bath, five years with €108,000 respectively. 

Also convicted were Iyare Evelyn,  40 months with €12,000 fine, John Gladys, five years with €47,000 fine,  James Omoh Kate, four years with €12,000 fine,  Okoduwa Rachael, five years with €24,000 fine, Abba Ibrahim, 12 months with €12,000 fine and Azemy Alex, 12 months with €6,0000 fine. 

Others are  Idehen constance, 45 months with €48,000 fine, Idehen Tina, 40 months with € 12,000 fine and  Idemudia Oscar, five years with €108,0000 fine, 

Hendriks explained to the court that during investigations, the victims told the investigators that the suspects (Felicia) recruited them in Nigeria for her children in Luxemburg and Brussel in Belgium. 

He added that the suspect's children who have been convicted in Belgium also confessed that their mother was the one  recruiting young girls in Nigeria for them. 

He said one of  the suspects' children was responsible for handling  the girls for prostitution in clubs and hotel in Belgium. 

He said after the conviction of the suspects by the Belgium Court, they shared the information and evidence with the Nigeria government leading to their arrest in Nigeria. 

The Chief Inspector, however, told the court that the victims of the human traffickers have been rescued, settled and now doing normal business activities. 

Counsel to the suspect, O I Asemota, however, sought for adjournment to enable him prepare his defence. 

The presiding judge, Justice Geraldine Ono Imadegbelo, however adjourned the case to June 14, for hearing.