The Congress of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (CSCSN) has called for a thorough forensic investigations into the human trafficking accusation brought against the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) President, Bola Innocent Audu, by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP).
Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the
National Coordinator CSCSN, made the call following the discharge and acquittal of Bola Audu of the human trafficking allegation brought against him by the NAPTIP.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had on Tuesday discharged and acquitted the President of the ASCSN, Mr. Innocent Bola-Audu and three others, of the allegation of human trafficking.
Justice Charles Agbaza cleared Bola-Audu and three others when the prosecution failed to link the defendants with the offence.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP) dragged the four civil servants before the court on the allegation that they were involved in human trafficking in 2021.
The affected workers included the Chief Accountant on Grade Level 14, Innocent Bola-Audu, and an Assistant Executive Officer on Grade Level 13, Cecilia Aneke.
However, Bola Audu and others pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on July 7, 2021 and were granted bail.
Through their counsel, they filed a motion for a “no-case” submission. After the parties argued their briefs of argument, the court adjourned for ruling.
Justice Agbaza, in his ruling, upheld the defendants’ argument, saying “The prosecution has not clearly been able to link the defendants with the charge brought against them. I find it difficult to come to terms with the prosecution on the charges and in his argument against the defendants.
“There is no evidence before this court linking the defendants with the offence. The prosecution failed to establish a case of human trafficking against the defendants.
“The defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted.”
But reacting to the cheering news on Wednesday, Comrade Andrew Emelieze
National Coordinator CSCSN, called for a forensic investigations into the human trafficking accusation.
Com. Emelieze, a former Oyo State Chairman of ASCSN and ex – Chairman of TUC Oyo state, argued that members of the senior civil service union, believed NAPTIP was used by powerful persons in ASCSN to set up Bola Audu for the persecution he went through since 2021.
The National Coordinator of CSCSN made this known in a released sent to The Daily Crucible.
“After over two years of trial, the court has finally declared that Comrade Bola Innocent Audu is truly Innocent of the alleged case of human trafficking .
Comrade Bola Audu, a staff of the Accountant General of the Federation, and also the National President of the Association of Senior Civil servants of Nigeria, (ASCSN), who also doubles as the National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) was arraigned alongside three other civil servants for human trafficking.
In a landmark judgement delivered Tuesday 18th April by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama.The presiding Judge, Justice Charles Agbaza , exonerated Bola Innocent Audu from all the charges brought against him by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Members of the senior civil service union, however believe that NAPTIP has been used by powerful persons in ASCSN to set up Comrade Bola Audu . Members of the union are therefore calling for a forensic investigations into the human trafficking accusation brought against the ASCSN President by NAPTIP.
ASCSN , a foremost trade union in Nigeria is an affiliate of the TUC and has been in troubled water since the arrest and prosecution of its President by NAPTIP.
We the Nigeria workers are full of joy to hear of the victory of Bola Audu. The entire labour movement in Nigeria congratulate Comrade Bola Audu and ASCSN for a victory well deserved as her national President Bola Audu is given a clean bill of health by the court. We look forward to a renewed ASCSN and we also call on the ASCSN President to forgive all his accusers and concentrate on moving the union forward. We also appreciate the solidarity from our members, well wishers and the media,” he stated.
