WIREDGOV

A young woman who was coerced by sex traffickers with threats of ‘the curse of JuJu’ watched as an Old Bailey jury found her captors guilty. 

The woman, who was 23 when she was trafficked from Nigeria, told the jury how members of the organised crime group first befriended, then trafficked, raped and intimidated her. 

The traffickers, who had links with other crime groups in Nigeria and Italy, used a Nigerian contact known as Beneditta to target vulnerable young women who were financially and educationally poor and were often orphans. She would befriend them and tell them of a better life where they could learn English and become hairdressers, seamstresses or nurses. They were then brought to the UK by Olusoji Oluwafemi who was the main organiser.

The victim, an orphan from a remote area of Nigeria, told the jury how Beneditta promised her training as a nurse. Instead she was raped and subjected to the African ritual of JuJu to frighten her into compliance. Her traffickers told her she owed them £40,000 and would face the ‘curse of the JuJu’ if she didn’t repay them.

After arriving in the UK in September 2011, she was met at the airport by Johnson Olayinka and forced to hand over her Nigerian passport and £500 given to her by Beneditta. She was imprisoned for three weeks at the home of Florence Obadiaru, a third member of the crime group.

On 3 October 2011 the victim was taken to an airport, given a false passport in the name of Jacky Smith, and told to board a flight to Milan where she would be forced to work as a prostitute. The Italian authorities refused her entry and she was sent back to the UK where she ‘was so frightened’ she immediately handed herself into the authorities. 

Specialists from the National Crime Agency, including the Vulnerable Persons Team which is skilled in working with trafficking victims, interviewed her and secured sufficient evidence to track down and arrest members of the crime group. 

During searches of Oluwafemi’s home in May 2013, investigators seized computers showing over 60 images of fake passports, identity cards and Home Office letters which formed part of a ready made ‘forgery factory’. Oluwafemi, Obadiaru and Olayinka were charged with trafficking offences.

Analysis of mobile phone data was critical to the success of the investigation as it supported the victim’s account of her ordeal. Investigators were able to evidence that members of the crime group were in contact with each other at key times and links to Beneditta in Nigeria.

Brendan Foreman, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said:

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery and today's result shows the vital importance of victims coming forward. The NCA's skilled investigators will find the evidence to bring traffickers to court, and our expert teams will work side by side with vulnerable victims to ensure that the court process doesn't add to the trauma they have already experienced.

“Criminals will sell anything, including human beings, to make money. They have neither conscience nor moral code towards their victims and will attempt to strip them of their dignity and freedom through fear and violence.  

"This victim was extremely brave, not only by going to the authorities but also facing her traffickers in the courtroom. Her evidence during this trial means these criminals now have plenty of time to reflect on how it feels to lose their own dignity and freedom.” 

Since coming forward, the victim has received the appropriate protection and support after going through the National Referral Mechanism which is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking.

Sentencing is scheduled for 11 July.

- Olusoji Oluwafemi, DoB 30/11/69, of Tissington Court, Rotherhithe New Road, London, was found guilty of trafficking human beings in and out of the UK, plus identity fraud

- Johnson Olayinka , DoB 09/05/65, of Kelly Avenue, Peckham, was found guilty of trafficking human beings in and out of the UK, plus identity fraud

- Florence Obadiaru, DoB 13/02/66, of St Asaph Road, London, was found guilty of trafficking human beings in and out of the UK