Better known as “Mama Masha”, Mrs. Felicia Osaigbovo, a convicted human trafficker, has been handed a 12-year prison sentence. She is also to pay a fine of N24m.
Her three convicted sons also received various jail terms and varying sums of fines.
The judgment was slammed on her by a Benin High Court under the authority of Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo who had convicted Mama Masha of involvement in the recruitment of young women from Edo state for overseas prostitution.
In a 24-count against Mama Masha, which included aiding and abetting human trafficking, brought before the court on July 1, 2021, she was accused of organizing trips to Belgium for 12 female victims for the purpose of prostitution. This, according to the court, is in violation of Section 18 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) 2015.
Throughout the court proceedings, Mama Masha maintained her innocence.
During the trial, the prosecution called upon three witnesses, including Mr. Jimmy Wellem Hendrick, a Belgian Police officer, who flew in from Brussels on May 31, 2023, to testify.
Hendrick testified about the involvement of Mama Masha’s children, namely, Aigbe Egberanmen, Aigbe Daniel and Osaigbovo Nathaniel, who were also implicated in the human trafficking operation.
They were also sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and fines, with Aigbe Egberanmen receiving six years and a fine of €108,000 (about N85,954,500); Aigbe Daniel faces a five-year jail term with €108,000 fine (about N85,954,500); and Osaigbovo Nathaniel bagging five years with €48,000 (about N38,202,000) in fine.
The Belgian Police officer also detailed how Mama Masha often recruited Nigerian girls from Benin City, Edo State, and transported them to Europe, particularly Antwerp, Belgium, for sexual exploitation and prostitution.
He noted that the victims, aged between 14 and 23 at the time of trafficking, were subjected to harrowing and inhuman experiences.
These young women were found almost naked, soliciting customers from windows and private clubs in Europe, the policeman said.
Hendrick further emphasized the importance of addressing human trafficking at its source, whether in Nigeria or abroad, noting it transcends international borders.
He also highlighted the successful reintegration of rescued victims into legitimate businesses in Belgium.
In her verdict, Justice Imadeghelo found Mama Masha guilty on all the 24 charges and imposed the 12-year prison sentence with N24m fine as punishment.
