Three people who trafficked a young Nigerian woman into the UK intent on prostituting her in Italy were jailed for a combined total of 12 years at the Old Bailey today [Friday, 11 July].
In September 2011 the victim, then 23-years-old, was smuggled into the UK from Nigeria on a false passport after being promised that she would be accommodated and educated in England.
But there were no education prospects or jobs waiting for the victim when she arrived in London and weeks later she was forced to board a Milan-bound flight, destined to work as a prostitute.
Italian immigration officers stopped her at Milan airport after noticing her false passport and returned her to the UK that afternoon. She was met by UK Border Agency officials and, after it became apparent she was a victim of trafficking, an investigation was launched by the then Serious Organised Crime Agency, now known as the National Crime Agency.
Elizabeth Jenkins, Deputy Head of Organised Crime at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:
“Life had been incredibly hard for the victim following her father’s death in 2008. She hoped to make a better life for herself in England but the illusion was shattered by Oluwafemi, Olayinka and Obadiaru, who callously conned her.
“Her dreams of training as a nurse were soon pierced by a sickening realisation that she was to be prostituted in Italy – a horrific reality from which she had no means of escape until she was stopped by immigration authorities.
“This victim was taken advantage of in the cruellest fashion. This was a truly disturbing case but, thanks to the bravery of the victim in giving evidence against them, the perpetrators have been brought to justice.”
Olusoji Oluwafemi was sentenced to a total of six years and six months’ imprisonment.
Johnson Olayinka was sentenced to a total of four years and six months’ imprisonment.
Florence Obadiaru was sentenced to a total of two years’ imprisonment.
Charges
Johnson Olayinka and Olusoji Oluwafemi were each convicted of:
- One count of conspiracy to traffick a person into the United Kingdom for the purpose of sexual exploitation, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977
- One count of conspiracy to traffick a person out of the United Kingdom for the purpose of sexual exploitation, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977
- One count of conspiracy to possess false identity documents with an improper intention, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act, 1977.
Florence Obadiaru was convicted of:
- One count of conspiracy to traffick a person into the United Kingdom for the purpose of sexual exploitation, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977
- One count of conspiracy to traffick a person out of the United Kingdom for the purpose of sexual exploitation, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977
