IOM opens new legal hub in Nigeria to aid victims of trafficking get justice

By Unekwuojo O

Aug. 4, 2020 – The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nigeria has announced the opening of a new facility in Edo state that will provide unhindered access to legal services to victims of trafficking in Nigeria.

The IOM in a statement made available to the Humanitarian Post on Tuesday says the legal hub will provide free, prompt, timely and confidential legal aid to victims regardless of sex, age and gender.

The UN Migration agency stated that parallel to the opening of the pilot facility in Edo, it also conducted awareness raising sessions in Delta and Lagos states.

The IOM disclosed that two additional hubs will be established in Delta and Lagos States at the end of the year.

Ms Bertha Nguvulu, IOM Nigeria Counter Trafficking Project Officer said “Currently, prosecution of traffickers in Nigeria is focused primarily on criminal cases.

“The legal hubs will bring together all actors involved in criminal, as well as civil proceedings for victims of sexual and labour exploitation seeking legal redress in the country,” Nguvulu said.

The Humanitarian Post reports that the launch follows consultations with various legal actors in all three states such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Consultations were also made with the Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, as well as academia.