11th November, 2022
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
A Federal Court has ordered the sealing of Cool breeze brothel 1,2,3 and Royale brothel all located along Azikiwe street Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital over alleged human trafficking.
The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Court officials on Friday 11, November enforced an order of the Federal High Court.
Our correspondent reports that all occupants were evicted before the brothels were sealed.
In court document cited by our correspondent with suit no FHC/PH/MISC/419/2022 with Federal Government of Nigeria as (Complainant) and Cool breeze Hotel and, Royale Hotel as defendants, the Judge directed that the hotels be sealed from November 4th, 2022 for thirty days pending conclusion of investigations following an motion exparte filed by NAPTIP.
The case was adjourned till 5th December, 2022 for report.
Recall that combined team of Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, NSCDC and NAPTIP had on the 29th October, 2022 raided cool breeze and Royale brothels to rescue underage girls who were allegedly forced into prostitution while some suspected traffickers were also arrested.
NAPTIP Commander in Rivers State, Nwamaka Ikediashi had told our reporter in an interview that suspects arrested will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation.