30th September, 2015
Cyriacus Izuekwe
The police at Ikotun division have rescued a 20-year-old youth, Godspower Otache, allegedly kept in captivity for several months by a couple in Lagos State, western Nigeria.
The police have arrested the couple identified as Dio Ochepo, 42 and his wife, Ene Ochepo, 43.
The incident happened at 4, Aro-Oloye street, off Better Life bus stop, Abaranje, Ikotun on the outskirts of Lagos where they reside.
According to police, the man and hsi wife went to their home town in Benue State and brought Godspower Otache to Lagos under the false pretence of assisting him because he came from a poor home.
They promised his parents that they will assist them to train the victim and send him to school to be educated.
But after he was brought to Lagos, the poilce said the couple allegedly turned him into a slave.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the victim was subjected to all sort of inhuman treatment, constant beating and torture.
He was not allowed to go to school or move out of their apartment. He allegedly worked from morning till night without proper feeding.
This did not go down well with the residents who also noticed that the victim was not allowed to have any contact with his family and the neighbours.
P.M.NEWS gathered that it was their neighbours who informed the police about Otache’s condition.
The police subsequently arrested the couple and rescued the victim and took them to the station.
The man and his wife were charged with human trafficking before a Magistrate court sitting in Ejigbo.
One of the charges read: “that the couple did unlawfully convey, induce Godspower Otache in order to possess, deal, trade and place him in servitude against his will and thereby committed Criminal offence of felony.”
The couple was also charged with assault by inflicting several body injuries on the victim and thereby committed a criminal offence.
They pleaded not guilty on the three-count charge of felony, slavery and assault under the Criminal Code.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs J. O. E. Adeyemi granted them bail with two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant from level 10 and above and must show evidence of payment of tax for two years.
They were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail.
The matter was adjourned till 5 October, 2015.
