Delta court begins bearing on alleged trafficking of 15-year-old girl by mother

The Family Court Division of the Delta State High Court in Ughelli has started hearing a case involving the alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old schoolgirl by her mother.

The suit, initiated by child rights activist and member of the Take It Back Movement Nigeria, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, seeks justice, protection, and an assessment of the alleged victim.

Presiding judge, Justice Mary Gesikeme-Akebotah, granted several interim orders during the session on Friday while adjourning the case till December 13, 2024.

Among the orders was the appointment of Margaret Oghuvwu (the seventh respondent), proprietress of Triumphal Model School, Effurun, as the child’s guardian pending further hearings.

Also, the judge ordered the court bailiff to serve the originating process and every other process and notice required in the suit “by substituted service through a registered courier” on the Delta State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission at No. 19, Maryam Babangida Way, opposite SUBEB, Asaba, before the next adjourned date.

In the same vein, the judge ordered that the originating process and every other process and notice required in the suit should be similarly served on the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police.

The judge further granted an interim order restraining all parties in the suit from taking further steps in the matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Earlier, while moving the motion ex parte in matter, which was brought pursuant to Section 82(3)(4), 260, 261(f) of the Delta State Child Rights Law 2008, and Order 7, 7(6), 7(6A), 7(6F), 7(11A), 14(4), 23(3), 23(4) of the Model Family Court (Procedure) Rules 2018, the applicant, Aghogho who had no legal representation, prayed the court to allow him to represent himself “on behalf of and in the interest of the affected child”.

Aghogho argued, “Provisions of the Delta State Child Rights Law 2008, the Child Rights Act 2003, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empower me to so act.

“Specifically, I am relying on Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights.

“Additionally, Sections 4(1) and 5(1) of the Delta State Child Rights Law 2008, Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Child Rights Act 2003, and Order 7 and 7(b) of the Model Family Court Procedure Rule 2018 empower me, as a party to the case, to act on behalf and in the interest of the child and seek protection and justice in court.”

Aghogho added that he is also “exercising his right to self-representation to appear in-person in this case.”

It is expected that the Nigeria Police will produce the mother of the schoolgirl in court at the next hearing on December 13, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Legal Aid Council has shown interest in the alleged sex trafficking suit with its nomination of a lawyer, Ayo-Okhiria Scott, to give legal representation to the applicant as the case progresses.