A Federal High Court in Cross River has ordered the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to seal two brothels in Calabar.
It is alleged that the brothels, located in Onwuka Hotel and Suites and De Papes Corner Hotel, both in Calabar, are used for prostitution and child trafficking.
Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) in Calabar had on May 9 arrested 59 suspected commercial sex workers in the two brothels.
DSS later handed over the suspected sex workers, mostly under aged, and owners of the brothels to NAPTIP for prosecution.
NAPTIP, in a motion ex-parte, prayed the court to order the interim seal of the brothels pending outcome of investigation.
Justice S. A. Amobeda granted the complainant’s prayer for the brothels to be sealed pending determination of investigation against the defendants.
“In support to the motion paper sworn to by one Mr Oba Jacob of NAPTIP, filed in Court Registry on the 17th day of May, 2019, and the court granted the application.
“An interim order is hereby granted attaching Onwuka hotel and suites and De Papes Corner hotel pending the determination of criminal investigation against the defendants,” the order read.
