Fact finding mission to Nigeria 2009 - Ny i Danmark

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National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP)NAPTIP for review but NAPTIP has to take responsible and sustainable decisions. The project staffdid not agree with other NGOs that WOTCLEF has the right to screen other NGOs projectproposals before they are forwarded to NAPTIP. Any proposal coming from an NGO would besubmitted to NAPTIP for comments/inputs and/or review as the case may be. The inputs/commentsare thereafter forwarded to the NGO for appropriate action or insertion (as the case may be) into theproposal before it is approved for implementation.Regarding confidence in NAPTIP the project staff of a UN organisation (C) explained that anyforeign country can cooperate directly with NAPTIP without any concerns. Foreign countries caneven share confidential information in specific cases with NAPTIP. Its database is secure and it haslimited access for staff members. A number of Western countries are already sharing confidentialinformation on trafficking cases and issues with NAPTIP. This is an important feature in the fightagainst international trafficking.Regarding transparency and fight against corruption a Western embassy (C) explained that NAPTIPdoes its outmost to secure that salaries to its staff are being paid and to make its financial recordsand expenditures as visible and correct as possible. It was added that the budget of NAPTIP hasbeen increasing for the last five years, and the increase has been especially notable in the last year.When informed about allegations that NAPTIP is corrupted, involved in human trafficking and iscooperating with criminal groups in Europe a Western embassy (E) stated that it had never heard ofNAPTIP being accused of such activities. On the contrary the Western embassy (E) has a good andfunctioning cooperation with NAPTIP. The embassy considered that NAPTIP is the bestgovernmental agency in Nigeria when it comes to operational cooperation. However the embassycould not exclude that individual on a lower level in NAPTIP could be involved in corruption andeven human trafficking. NAPTIP is always in need of funds and it has happened that NAPTIP hasbeen unable to pay its staff’s salaries in time. However, such phenomenons are only related tobudgetary problems and not to corruption. The representative of the Western embassy (E) has beenemployed at the embassy since mid-2006 and the representative had no evidence that the leadershipof NAPTIP have been involved in corruption or any other criminal activity.The Western embassy (E) considered that the leadership of NAPTIP is composed of reliablepersons, and if there is evidence of any irregularities within NAPTIP it can only be related toindividuals on a low level.The Western embassy (E) considered that the Stakeholder’s Forum offers a reasonable guaranteethat NAPTIP remains transparent. It was added that the fact that Nigerian media participate in theStakeholder’s also guarantees that any irregularities or misconduct would be reported in the media.Finally a Western embassy (E) explained that NAPTIP functions well on the political level but theagency still needs assistance on its operational level.The police liaison officer of a Western embassy (D) considered allegations that NAPTIP is involvedin human trafficking and is cooperating with criminal groups in Europe to be unfounded. Theliaison officer expressed profound surprise that these allegations had been brought up, as the liaisonofficer had never heard about such allegations before. The representative has been employed at theembassy since early 2007 and works closely with NAPTIP.14
National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP)When asked whether NAPTIP has been flawed by corruption the police liaison officer of a Westernembassy (D) explained that on the 24 th of October 2007 the embassy as well as many other Westernembassies in Nigeria participated in a global operation called KOOL Fish against human traffickers.NAPTIP also participated in this action and if NAPTIP had been corrupt the action could not havebeen such a great success as it was. Traffickers were arrested in Abuja, Lagos, Benin City as well asin other places in Nigeria. The liaison officer found it very hard to believe that NAPTIP’sleadership in Abuja and in its Zonal Offices could be involved in corruption.It was emphasized by the police liaison officer of a Western embassy (D) that NAPTIP is verycooperative, also when it comes to prosecution of traffickers, and NAPTIP has the capacity toprotect victims against their traffickers. The liaison officer had no information that NAPTIP will notdo its outmost to protect victims. The liaison officer completely rejected the view that NAPTIP iscorrupt and involved in criminal acts such as trafficking. However, it can never be excluded thatindividuals on a lower level could be involved in unlawful activities such as corruption andtrafficking. The liaison officer was aware of one case where a staff member of NAPTIP had beenarrested for involvement in trafficking. This took place in connection with the above mentionedKOOL Fish operation on the 24 th of October 2007. The liaison officer added that NAPTIP isextremely observant of any signs of illegal acts among its staff, and the liaison officer had noknowledge of any other cases of illegal acts among NAPTIP staff.The police liaison officer of a Western embassy (D) confirmed that the Stakeholder’s Forum is fullytransparent and a well performing forum. The existence of the forum is a proof that NAPTIP doesnot fear transparency and to be subject to public scrutiny. The Stakeholder’s Forum is in reality acontrol mechanism.When informed about allegations that NAPTIP and its leadership are corrupt and engaged incriminal activities such as trafficking and collaboration with Nigerian criminals in Europe aWestern embassy (F) expressed deep concern about such accusations and it did not have anyevidences to state that NAPTIP is corrupted. The embassy added that such allegations must bebased on evidence and there is absolutely no reason to believe that NAPTIP’s leadership is involvedin such illegal activities. It was added that Nigeria has shown its determination to comply withinternational conventions, including the Palermo Convention.The Western embassy (F) explained that it has a good relationship with NAPTIP. The embassycooperates directly with NAPTIP, and the police attaché of the embassy and its home country shareand exchange information on trafficking cases with NAPTIP. There is a continuing relationshipwith NAPTIP as trafficking from Nigeria to the embassy’s home country is a major concern to bothgovernments. About 30,000 Nigerian citizens are now residing in the embassy’s home country, andthere are victims of trafficking in this country’s major cities.It was added by the Western embassy (F) that the overall relationship between NAPTIP and theembassy and its home country is transparent and well functioning, and the embassy has no groundsfor any concrete criticism of NAPTIP and its leadership.A UN organisation (A) considered allegations that NAPTIP is corrupted, involved in humantrafficking and is cooperating with criminal groups in Europe to be unfounded. NAPTIP has ameasure of responsibility and is ready to handle victims of trafficking. The “missing link” is in thechain of reception as some foreign countries are more interested in simply returning victims of15
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Fact finding mission to Nigeria 2009 - Ny i Danmark

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