Sodiq Rabiu
A court in Benin Republic has ordered four Nigerian nationals arrested and arraigned for illegal migration to pay a fine of ₦3 million.
These Nigerian nationals were initially declared missing by their family members after alerting the public that their whereabouts were unknown following what they called a “business trip” to Benin Republic.
The four men arrived in Benin Republic on Tuesday, October 22, and stayed at the F&F Hotel in the Savalou region. But by the following day, their relations could not reach them on their mobile lines again, according to reports.
The men’s wives were later able to reach them and confirmed that they had been arrested.
The Benin Republic Government arrested and arraigned them in court for allegedly entering the West African country illegally, investigative news outlet Sahara Reporters reported, citing a reliable source. They were all arraigned on October 31, 2024.
The Nigerian nationals were eventually denied bail by the court, the source said, noting: “this was because they were not represented by a lawyer when they were arraigned.”
However, the family source confirmed that the Nigerian nationals secured their freedom on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, after they paid a fine.
He said the court convicted them for illegal migration with a 3-month jail term or an option of a fine.
“My brothers and their friends have been released. They paid up to ₦3 million as a fine. The court said others who could not pay the fine should be sentenced to 3 months in prison,” the source was quoted as saying.