by ikuteyijo lanre olusegun obafemi awolowo university, ile-ife, nigeria life across the border...
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BYIKUTEYIJO LANRE OLUSEGUN
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA
LIFE ACROSS THE BORDER WORKSHOPWITWATERSRAND UNIVERITY
SOUTH AFRICA
8TH OCTOBER, 2014
Between Prosecutors and Counsellors: State and Non-State
Actors in the Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Trafficking in
Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
Migration in Nigeria has been described as multi-dimensional
Many Nigerians resorted to migration as a panacea to resolving a myriad of socio-economic challenges
Nigeria constitutes a major source, transit and destination for trafficked victims.
Nigeria is a demographic and economic giant in Africa (???)
“Europe by Desert”
INTRO (CONT’D)
Nigeria was the first African country to domesticate the Palermo Protocol.
Establishment of legal and institutional framework
This study examines the role of state and non-state actors in the rehabilitation of trafficked victims
The two-edge swords of prosecution and counselling of victims also examined.
Data and Methods
Primary data were generated from a larger study which examined the patterns and processes of irregular migration among Nigerian youths.
In-depth interviews with relevant state and non-state agencies.
Critical issues relating to the management of human trafficking and other forms of irregular migration in the country addressed.
Data analysed thematicallySecondary data also utilised
Brief review of literature
Literature review following the themes:Human trafficking in AfricaNational frameworks for managing migration in Nigeria.Migration and genderSocio-cultural factors influencing human traffickingState apparatuses in the management of human trafficking in Nigeria in the pre-Palermo era
Findings and results
NIS and migration management-statutory body saddled with the management
of migration in Nigeria .-extracted from the Nigerian Police Force
(NPF) in 1958-bilateral and multilateral agreements with
many destination countries regarding the deportation of Nigerians.
-faces a number of challenges including:
Findings (cont’d)
Numerous unmanned borders.Connivance between smugglers and some
corrupt migration officials.organized criminal networks in the
smuggling of irregular migrants is a sensitive and controversial issue
lack of motivation of immigration officersproblems associated with the issuance of the
new biometric passports loopholes in the Immigration Act
Findings (NAPTIP)
established by Section 1 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) and Administration Act, 2003
focal Agency in the fight against human trafficking and child labour in Nigeria
mandated to investigate, arrest and prosecute suspects of human trafficking; counsel and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking
arrests have been made but corresponding numbers of prosecution have not been recorded
Findings ( challenges of NAPTIP)
Lack of support from victims and their families
enormous amount needed to rehabilitate a victim of trafficking
trust syndromeChanging trends in traffickingCombination of dual roles of counselling and
prosecution of traffickers by NAPTIP
Findings (WOTCLEF and IDIA)
Both are non-state actorsBoth founded by wives of prominent
politiciansEngaged actively in anti-trafficking at local
and national levelsSuccessfully reintegrated deported victims of
traffickingFunding is a major challengeDeliberate witch-hunting No political will
Discussion of findings
Nigeria’s management of human trafficking continues to face considerable challenges on financial, legal, and political fronts.
Non-state actors enjoy more trust from victimsupdate of legislation on human traffickingChange in paradigm of treating victims fro
criminal to human rightsAge of victims/poor culture of record keepingFall in status from Tier 1 to Tier 2 in the United
States’ State Department 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report
Recommendations
Efforts should be made to address a range of wider issues related to human trafficking
Separate prosecution from counsellingNon state actors handle counselling and
rehabilitationAmendment of the TIP ActRehabilitation above retributionWomen empowerment programs
Conclusion
There is need for a collective effort to curb human trafficking
Human trafficking thrives on ignorance of victimsCherished social values like hard work, honesty
and integrity should be emphasizedYouth should be educated on legal migration
options and the need for empowermentCoordinated efforts of CSOsHolistic policy response to human trafficking that
balances a criminal justice approach with a human rights approach
THANK YOU!
AcknowledgementsThe author recognizes the Center for International
Governance Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo, Canada for generously supporting this research; Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh,
McMaster University, Canada and Prof. Olabisi Aina, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria for the
conceptualization of this article.