Port Harcourt: Court orders shutdown of 4 brothels

The closing off of four brothels along Azikiwe Street, Mile 2 Diobu in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State was mandated by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

Following a lawsuit brought by the federal government against Cool Breeze Hotel and Royale Hotel as defendants, the court issued the order.

In order to carry out the court order, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and court representatives were in Azikiwe Street on Friday.

Before it was walled off, the brothels' residents were evicted.

The court ruled that the brothels stay sealed for 30 days while NAPTIP's investigation is still ongoing after approving an ex parte motion by NAPTIP.

The case was postponed until December 5, 2022, to allow for the investigative report.

On October 29, 2022, a team from the Nigerian Navy, NSCDC, and NAPTIP raided the Cool Breeze and Royale brothels. During the raid, some girls, including young girls who had been "forced" into prostitution, were rescued. Suspected traffickers were also detained.

Nwamaka Ikediashi, the NAPTIP Commander in Rivers State, promised that after the investigation was finished, the accused will be brought before a judge.

Source