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The National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters NAPTIP, has inaugurated the board of victim of trafficking trust fund wherein all the proceeds of the sale of forfeited assets and properties of traffickers are paid into and managed for the development and welfare of trafficked victim. Speaking during the inauguration of the board, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aaondakaa said that the national response and strategy to combat the phenomena of human trafficking is mutative, depending on the perceivable trend. Consequently, he noted that the trust fund is one of amendment to the act, which targets the proceeds of the crime of human trafficking for the benefit of the victim who suffer untold trauma even after they have been rescued. The Minister who is also Chairman said the cardinal function of the board is to receive monies accruing to the fund after auction of forfeited assets of convicted traffickers and also determine victims who entitled to benefit from the fund. The Hon. Minister called on the board members to be honest and at all times have the interest of victims at heart. Chief Aaondakaa reminded the members that replenishment of the trust fund should not be limited to the proceeds for assets seizure from traffickers, but also solicit for support from development partners and private sector to ensure that the fund is buoyant at all times. In his response, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NAPTIP Barrister Simon Chuzi Egede said the era of criminals serving sentence only to come out and affront the citizenry in provocative display of proceeds of their ill gotten wealth is over. |
