Facts have emerged about how a Nigerian lady, Joy Jeff, who was on an intercontinental wanted list for her role as a ringleader of an international prostitution syndicate, was arrested and extradited by Italian authorities and transported from Abuja back to Rome.

Joy, 48, who has been on the run since 2010, was found guilty of criminal conspiracy, enslavement, human trafficking, and living off the earnings of prostitution. She bolted in 2010 after she was convicted in absentia and handed a 13-year prison term.

The police added in a statement that the fugitive was a prominent member of the Nigerian mafia and one of the few women on Italy’s most-wanted list.

A 2020 agreement between Italy and Nigeria made her extradition easier. On June 4, 2022, she was detained in Nigeria under an international warrant.

Italian investigators in the eastern city of Ancona said Jeff played a leading role in trafficking women to Italy, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands, where they were forced into prostitution by violence and threats. She has been convicted in her absence.

Video released by the Italian police showed the woman being flown from the Nigerian capital Abuja to Ciampino Airport in Rome where she was taken away in a wheelchair by police.

“The criminal is one of the few women included in the list of 100 dangerous fugitives drawn up by the integrated joint group for the search for fugitives of the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police,” the Italian police stated.

“This extradition represents the first provision under the extradition treaty between Italy and Nigeria, signed in 2020, and was possible thanks to the joint work of the Nigerian judiciary, the Italian ambassador in Nigeria and the Italian Ministry of Justice.

“Following an investigation by officials of the International Police Cooperation Service (SCIP) in the African country and the issuance of a red notice in 2010, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian intelligence service, managed to track down and arrest the woman on June 4, 2022, thanks also to the collaboration between the Italian immigration expert in Nigeria and the local police forces.” (The Nation)

Update news