By Emmanuel Elebeke

The Continental Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Africa, Prof. Jude Osakwe, has urged the National Assembly to enact legislation imposing strict penalties on parents or guardians who knowingly allow their under-aged children to be trafficked.

Prof. Osakwe made the appeal at the Achimota Circuit Court in Accra, Ghana, where he attended the judgment proceedings of a convicted human trafficker recently sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The trafficker was found guilty of exploiting 13 under-aged girls, including his two younger sisters. The court also ordered him to pay compensation of 15,000 Ghana Cedis to each of the 13 victims.

Speaking after the ruling, Prof. Osakwe stressed that efforts to combat human trafficking must address the role of family complicity. According to him, under-aged children are incapable of giving informed consent to travel or safeguarding themselves.

“Parents should be held strictly accountable for allowing their under-aged children to travel under dubious circumstances. These children cannot look after themselves,” he said.

Prof. Osakwe cited a case uncovered in Senegal, where two children were reportedly handed over by their parents to a pastor’s wife who later trafficked them to Mali and then to Senegal for exploitation. He noted that traffickers often take advantage of trust placed in them by families.

“The cycle of trafficking often begins with a breach of trust by those who should protect the child. We must shift the legal focus to ensure there are consequences for parental negligence that leads to exploitation,” he added.

While commending the Ghanaian judiciary for its decisive action, Prof. Osakwe expressed concern about post-rescue efforts in Nigeria. He argued that more comprehensive rehabilitation support is needed for survivors. According to him, some victims may risk re-victimization if adequate reintegration measures are not provided.

Prof. Osakwe also commended NIDO Ghana for its continued vigilance in the fight against trafficking, and praised the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for her commitment to anti-trafficking initiatives and the welfare of Nigerians abroad.

“NiDCOM, under the guidance of Dr. Dabiri-Erewa, has consistently prioritized the fight against human trafficking,” he said.

NIDO Africa called on the National Assembly to give priority to legislation that holds negligent guardians accountable, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s broader anti-trafficking framework and safeguarding vulnerable children.