A senior official of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr Akwaowo Jonah Emmanuel, has been accused of raping female suspects, including minors, while they were in the agency’s custody in Akwa Ibom State.

The victims, rescued while in transit and detained at the Uyo Zonal Office pending investigations, were allegedly sexually assaulted by Emmanuel, who reportedly promised them freedom in exchange for sex.

Following these grave allegations, the agency has suspended him without pay.

NAPTIP confirmed the suspension in a statement, explaining that the decision was based on the findings of an interim investigative panel.

However, the Senior Staff Committee is still deliberating on the case, and its final ruling will determine Emmanuel’s fate in line with the Public Service Rules.

The agency’s decision was detailed in a letter referenced NAPTIP/PwP/462/T1, titled “Update and Proactive Response by the Management of NAPTIP on the Alleged Sexual Harassment of Victims by Mr Jonah Akwaowo Emmanuel,” dated 10 February 2025, and made available to LEADERSHIP in Uyo by NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye.

The statement read: “The attention of NAPTIP has been drawn to this shocking incident, and due to the Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello’s zero tolerance for such misconduct, the agency acted swiftly.”

It revealed that Emmanuel was issued a query on 16 January 2025, while a panel of inquiry, comprising officers of the command, was set up to conduct a thorough investigation.

“The panel interrogated the accused officer, took testimonies from victims and other relevant persons, and submitted its findings to the headquarters as directed,” the statement added.

“Based on the committee’s report, the management, via a letter dated 6 February 2025, suspended the officer from office without pay.”

Reacting to the scandal, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Barrister Jacob Udobang of Jacob B. Udobang Associates, petitioned NAPTIP, exposing alleged widespread sexual exploitation within the Uyo Zonal Office. He demanded that the case be transferred to the agency’s headquarters for a more transparent investigation.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and working with our partners for a world press conference unless we receive a decisive response from the commission,” Udobang warned.

Meanwhile, NAPTIP DG, Binta Bello, assured stakeholders that the accused officer would be prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law if found guilty.