The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), is to prosecute one of its staff, in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Akwaowo Emmanuel over gross sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.
Emmanuel is accused of sexually abusing minors who were victims of sexual harassment, and in the custody of NAPTIP at its zonal office in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The suspect, a driver with the agency had before now, being placed on suspension, following the outcome of an in-house investigation set up by the agency to look into the allegations against him.
However, Director General of NAPTIP, Benta Bello, while reacting to the incident in a telephone interview, assured that the suspect, shall be made to face the full wrath of the law, including prosecution if found guilty of the offense.
“Thanks for your concerns on the matter. The staff of the agency who is involved in such ugly incident will face the wrath of the law, including prosecution,” she declared.
Meanwhile, an Abuja-based human rights crusader, Jacob Udobang, had petitioned the agency, exposing some of the illicit activities of some staff of the agency in the Uyo zonal office.
NAPTIP Press Officer in the Uyo zonal office, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, in responding to inquiries by our correspondent, said the suspect was suspended on February 6, 2025, through a letter with reference number NAPTIP/PwP/462/T1, and titled: “Update and proactive response by the management of the NAPTIP on the allege sexual harassment of victim by Mr. Jonah Akwaowo Emmanuel.
The suspension letter reads: “That the attention of NAPTIP, has been drawn to the above incident and the various inquiries by the media partners on the matter.
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“That I am directed to point out that due to the Director General, Binta Adamu Bello’s zero tolerance to such behavior that constitutes gross misconduct by any officer, the agency promptly reacted and below are the updates on the matter.
“The officer in question was on January 16, 2025 issued a query. A panel of inquiry comprising of officers of the command, was constituted to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“The panel had several sessions during which all parties involved were invited. It interrogated the officer involved, took testimonies from victim as well as other relevant persons, and submitted a report to the headquarters as directed.
“Based on the report of the committee, the management subsequently, suspended the officer via a letter dated February 6, 2025 from office without pay.”
