International human rights networks monitor Nigeria human trafficking
case
Africans In America
News Watch, New York
Special report
New York, June
30, 2007—The human trafficking suit is coming
up at Ogidi high court in Anambra State, Nigeria on Monday
and Tuesday July 2nd and 3rd 2007. The case is currently presided
over by Hon. Justice J. I. Nweze.
|
Nigeria’s ‘Servant
leader’ President Umaru Yar’Adua, monitor
global effort struggling to address human trafficking
to address human trafficking
|
This case instituted by a local human
trafficker in November 2004 against a U.S.–based human rights
advocate has dragged on for close to 3 years due to various delay
tactics being applied by the plaintiff.
There have also been
many reports of witness intimidations by the plaintiff.
Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna,
the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc. a leading
human rights organization addressing social issues, particularly
human trafficking concerning the larger African community in
United States is the defendant in that suit and he is expected
to testify.
The defendant, Mr. Ezekwenna
had maintained that the suit is frivolous and has no merit. He
further stated the suit was clear abuse of process of the court
intended to intimidate and harass him and other activists pursuing
global war against human trafficking.
The suit closely watched
by governments, global anti-trafficking-in-person network, the
media and general public.
This case represents
the first case in Nigeria that alleged human trafficking associates
are suing the leaders of NGO claiming defamation of character.
|
President
of the United States,
George W. Bush
|
Africans In America News
Watch investigation reveals there is another international angle
to this case because the alleged perpetrator had testified in
United States Federal court for another individuals accused for
human trafficking in 2000. Those individuals were later convicted
on all counts by the U.S. Federal Court in New York.
This suit (Ogidi High
Court) instituted since 2004 at Justice Chinwe Amaechi’s
court had dragged on until it was recently assigned to Justice
J. I. Nweze who has warned that he will not tolerate any delay
tactics or witness intimidation.
Africans In America News
Watch investigation also reveals that already, the counsel to
the plaintiff Barrister Andrew Uzuagu is facing professional
misconduct/ disciplinary hearing before the Nigerian Body of
Benchers for giving misleading information to the court on May
20, 2005 in an attempt to delay the trial.
Africans In America News
Watch investigation further reveals that complaints against Barrister
Uzuagu had been investigated by the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary
Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association determined that the
allegations against him were substantiated and referred the matter
to the Nigerian Body of Benchers’ Disciplinary Panel for
trial.
Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna
has received several threats due to his work on human trafficking
and other human rights issues, however, he remains undeterred.
The Nigerian inspector
General of Police has been notified but the status of request
for police protection is unknown.
|
