ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY PASSES ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING LAW

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

A law to prohibit trafficking in persons, enforce and administer measures against trafficking and for related matters has been passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly.

The lawmakers after considering the report of the joint committee on Judiciary and Women and Social Welfare, on “Trafficking In Persons, (Prohibition) Enforcement And Administration Bill 2023,” adopted it as a working document.

Sponsor of the bill, Mr. Patrick Okafor, said the the law would provide for effective and comprehensive legal and institutional framework
for the prohibition and prevention, detention, persecution and punishment of human trafficking in Anambra State.

According to Mr. Okafor, the law will protect victims of human trafficking, promote and facilitate international cooperation in order to meet the objectives.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, commended the members of the joint committee and the entire lawmakers for their commitment and dedication to the task given to them.

Speaking in an interview after plenary, the Deputy Minority Whip Ms. Nkechi Ogbuefi, said the fight against trafficking in persons was a collective responsibility as the girl child were mostly victims of trafficking in persons, which involved a lot of crime such as gender violence, sexual assault, and molestation.

According to the female lawmaker, the law will be a deterent to offenders and collaborators in violence against children, women and even men.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU