Nigerian Woman faces extradition over sex trafficking and laundering probe

According to Herald.ie, a Dublin based publication,  "the French authorities are seeking the extradition of Trust Egharevba, aged 36, as part of their investigation into the activities of a criminal organisation involved in international money-laundering and human trafficking".

She however, denies any involvement in any of the matters



COMPLAINTS
 
In a warrant seeking her surrender, the French authorities said they have launched a criminal investigation into complaints that a number of young Nigerian women have been trafficked into France via Italy.
 
On arrival into France, these women were forced into prostitution, mainly in Grenoble, in order to pay off an 'imaginary debt' of some €50,000 each to a criminal gang.
 
The young women's travel arrangements involved a number of female intermediaries, described as 'mamas'.
 
It is alleged that, between April 2008 and March 2011, money procured from the women was laundered from France via Egharevba's bank accounts in Ireland to Nigeria.
 
The French authorities also say that they believe that this criminal operation was highly organised.
 
The High Court heard that Egharevba was detained after a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) had been issued by the French authorities in Lyon.
 
Detective Sergeant Martin O'Neill of the Garda Extradition Unit told the court that he arrested Egharevba at an address at Castlecurragh Park, Dublin 15.
 
He said that, when she was asked if she knew what the matters contained in the EAW were about, she replied: "No, I don't understand."
 

application
 
Egharevba did not speak during the brief court hearing. Mr Justice Kevin Cross remanded her in custody.
 
No application was made for bail. However Proinsias & Oacute; Maolchalain, for Egharevba, said that it was hoped to make a bail application as soon as possible as his client is the mother of three young children.
 
Counsel added that Egharevba's bus driver husband and her brother were prepared to act as independent sureties.
 
However lawyers for the State said they were not consenting to bail, as they knew very little about Egharevba.
 
The judge adjourned the extradition application and made it returnable before the court in early October.