A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of Rejoice John, also known as Success, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly trafficking three young women to Ghana for prostitution. The ruling was made on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, pending the hearing of her bail application.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke remanded the defendant as the court prepares to hear and rule on the bail application. John faces five charges related to deporting, harbouring, and organizing foreign travel for prostitution, filed against her by the Federal Government.
According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), John trafficked young women to Ghana between June and September 2024 for prostitution. The prosecution, led by NAPTIP’s U.I. Egonu, revealed that John organized the travel of a 22-year-old woman (alias Queen) to Ghana, knowing she would be exploited for prostitution. The prosecution also alleged that after her deportation from Ghana, John continued to facilitate the travel of two other young women (aliases Ella and Grace) for the same purpose.
The charges against her contravene Sections 18 and 15(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015, which are punishable under the same Act.
John pleaded not guilty to the charges. While the defense counsel, E.O. Ajoku, filed a bail application, the prosecutor opposed it, citing the severity of the crime and its international implications.
After hearing the arguments, Justice Aneke adjourned the case until February 5, 2025, for a ruling on the bail application and ordered that John remain in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre until then.
