By Mariama Marong
A Nigerian woman, Chinenye Amadi, has pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation during her arraignment before the High Court in Banjul. Presiding Judge Justice Sidi Jobarteh formally entered a plea of “not guilty” after the accused rejected the charges read against her.
Amadi is facing two criminal counts: trafficking in persons contrary to Section 28(4) of the Trafficking in Persons Act, and living on the earnings of prostitution of another woman contrary to Section 136 of the Criminal Code, punishable under Section 34 of the same Act.
Counsel H. Drammeh represented the State, while Counsel A.J. Njie appeared for the accused person.
According to the first count’s particulars of offence, Chinenye Amadi allegedly transported a Nigerian national—whose name has been withheld—from Nigeria into The Gambia through deceitful means for exploitation. The alleged incident occurred in January 2024 in Kololi, within the Kanifing Municipality.
The second count accuses Amadi of subjecting a woman named Zainab Hassan to prostitution and living off the proceeds. The charge alleges that the accused benefited financially from Zainab’s sexual exploitation during the same period and location.
The State alleges that Amadi’s actions constitute a clear violation of anti-trafficking laws and sexual exploitation statutes under Gambian law.
Following the plea taking, the matter was adjourned to 8th July 2025 for the prosecution to open its case.
Chinenye Amadi remains in legal custody, pending the outcome of the trial.
