SAN FRANCISCO, August 04, (THEWILL) – A United Kingdom, UK court has sentenced Franca Asemota, who threatened to use “juju” against the women and children she helped to bring into Europe for forced prostitution, to 22 years imprisonment.
The 38-year old was convicted on August 3 at Isleworth Crown Court of eight counts of conspiracy to traffic persons for sexual exploitation, two counts of trafficking persons outside of the UK for sexual exploitation and two counts of assisting unlawful immigration.
She was part of a criminal network that trafficked girls, boys and women from Nigeria to Europe, using the threat of “juju” to guarantee their compliance. Court documents show Asemota was part of a criminal network that trafficked girls, boys and women from Nigeria to Europe using threats to guarantee their compliance.
She was identified as a trafficking suspect in 2012 but fled from Italy to Nigeria when some of her co-conspirators were arrested by Immigration Enforcement investigators. She spent time in Europe before the National Crime Agency, NCA, tracked her down to Nigeria.
However, in an operation co-ordinated by the NCA, she was arrested by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Benin City in March 2015.
Once her identity was confirmed, Asemota was then extradited back to the UK in January this year. She was found guilty of conspiracy to traffic for sexual exploitation and assisting unlawful immigration after a four-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court.
Reacting to the sentencing, David Fairclough, from the UK Immigration Enforcement Crime team, said: “Asemota was the lynchpin of a trafficking ring which targeted vulnerable young women in Nigeria, promising them a brighter future working in Europe.
“But it soon became clear that this was far from the truth. The victims, some as young as 13, were told they would be sold into prostitution. Asemota travelled with the girls in order to threaten them and keep them in line.
“Trafficking is a despicable crime, as this case shows. We work closely with our law enforcement colleagues internationally to identify the criminal gangs responsible and put them before the courts.”
On his part, the CPS London reviewing lawyer, David Davies, said: “This case demonstrates how the CPS will work with partners, in the UK and overseas, in order to tackle the trafficking gangs who make huge profits from human misery.
“Franca Asemota played a key role in exploiting the poverty and vulnerability of her victims with the aim of forcing them into prostitution to make money for criminals.
“These girls were from poor, rural backgrounds with little education or knowledge of the world. They were targeted because of this and promised legitimate jobs in Europe. Only when they were far away from their homes were they told the truth – that they would have to work as prostitutes.
“The traffickers used alleged juju magic to exert complete control over their victims, using rituals to ‘curse’ them and ensure their compliance. The girls were told that if they disobeyed their captors or tried to escape, the curse would cause them injury, infertility or even death.
“Although only five victims have been identified the evidence showed that she facilitated the trafficking of around 40 people, mainly young girls, between August 2011 and May 2012.
“I would like to thank the victims in this case for supporting the prosecution and giving evidence in court. They have been through a traumatic ordeal and their bravery and courage has helped bring Asemota to justice.”
