New York, April 30, 2007—On March 30, 2007 Africans In America News Watch published a story on Ms. Celestina Ifeacho Joseph, the alleged Nigerian victim of human trafficking facing deportation in INS detention in Houston, Texas after she made a desperate appeal for help from the public.

Celestina as little girl, at age 10 shown at work (in captivity) in Houston, Texas, USA

That story was based largely on information presented by the Houston-based supporters of the young lady in INS detention.

Grown Celestina shown at work.

However, Africans In America News Watch investigation has obtained the alleged traffickers side of the story and for a balance we wish to publish it here in its entirety.

At the end of this exposé, is Africans In America News Watch’s analysis. We encourage readers to have open mind and look at the facts on all sides.

I have had quite a few interactions with Mrs. Ikeakor and she sent us large quantity of materials including her announcement distributed by a Houston-based Internet group and online magazine. Below are excerpts:

Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor, fondly called Mrs. Betty Ego Ikeakor denies all allegations and calls them concoction engineered by an ex-convict and unhappy former employees.

My names are Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor and it’s unfortunate that I have to respond to some of the outrageous allegations of a mentally sick fellow and ex-convict (Florida, Middle District, Judge Conway, Docket # 97-31-CR-ORL-22B, Offense code 548, Off /CHG #1). Conspiracy to commit mail & wire fraud, #2) Wire/Mail fraud, #3) Conspiracy to commit money-laundering, sentence imposed 75 months, date of sentencing 6-12-98).

This deranged ex-con had been stalking my family since my husband was hospitalized in about 2003. After the death of my husband in 2004, this ex-con continued to stalk me with various business propositions and flowers all of which I rebuffed. Details of these will be provided at later time.

For avoidance of any doubts, I am the woman he has declared as being ‘on the run’ in Houston for human trafficking. The fact remains that the bizarre sense of evilness expressed by this individual and his destructive gang will be exposed, again, this time.

Regarding Mrs. Jessica Amaka Agu, a partner in this gang-up against me; she was formerly an employee (Direct Care Staff) in my business in the early 1990s. She left my company to deliver her twins. Later, she complained that I did not visit her after she gave birth and she did not return to resume work in my business. Therefore, this gang-up is her way of venting her anger at me.

Haven given just a very brief background of the public record and motives of the key individuals behind all these lies, let me make the following brief factual points at this moment:

1. Celestina Ifeacho (later married to become Joseph) is my first cousin. She came to my house in 1984 with my sister at the age of 10.
2. Celestina never lived under any form of servitude or slavery in my house. Enrolling Celestina in school was very difficult because while in Nigeria she never had formal any education at the age of 10. No record of school enrolment in Nigeria, nothing whatsoever.
3. With my family’s support, Celestina trained and learned the necessary curriculum to get her G.E.D.  With the G.E.D., we the Ikeakors, sponsored/paid for her other skill acquisition/vocational trainings necessary for her to live independently and a better life until she started meeting and following misleading advises of people like Eric Ndubueze Ufom and Jessica Amaka Agu.
4. Celestina had her G.E.D. in 1993 while living with us.
5. Celestina enrolled in Houston Community College and obtained her Texas License Beautician/Cosmetologist while living with us. I, Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor paid her school fees.
6. Celestina had her Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) certificate while living with us. Upon graduation, I employed in my healthcare company as a C.N.A.
7. Celestina worked as many hours as she wanted and I paid her salary timely. I encouraged her to take care of her self and family in Nigeria. She helped her brothers and sisters to go to college back home in Nigeria. I, too send money to her family back home. I, too help to train her brothers in school back home.
8. Celestina never paid for rent or food while living in my house.
9. Celestina had her Texas Driver License while living with us
10. Celestina drives my car to and from work while living with us.
11. In 1996 Celestina enrolled in Houston Community College Nursing Program seeking to be a Registered Nurse while living in my house.
12. In 1997, while in school of Nursing (Houston Community College), Celestina married an American man to seek her best-known interest. She requested my assistance to get an attorney to help her process her green card. I referred her to a professional, experienced Nigerian attorney and graciously paid for her legal fees.
13. Celestina moved into her own apartment in 1999 in order to include her husband’s name on the apartment lease and lived independently.
14. I, Betty Ego Ikeakor bought all the furniture she used in the apartment and gave her six thousand ($6,000.00) and more. Shortly after that marriage, her husband was arrested for some other matter and sent to jail.
15. Celestina had a Toyota car and she moves around freely enjoying life in Houston, Texas. She is a popular lady in Houston.
16. Celestina, on her own decision took her file/processing of her green card away from the Nigerian lawyer to find another lawyer on her own. At that time her husband (Mr. Joseph) was in prison getting close to 4 years for unrelated crime.
17. Celestina paid her taxes here in the United States
18. The immigration called Celestina and her husband for interview. After the interview, her application for green card was denied. The INS sent her a polite letter to leave the United States voluntarily. She did not leave.
19. In 2004, the INS sent Celestina another letter for voluntary departure, which she signed.
20. Celestina as adult living independently made decisions in her marriage and life including decision to ignore immigration instructions, leading to her troubles with the INS.
21. Celestina as adult living independently made a decision on her choice of friends, including romance with Eric Ndubueze Ufom, Jessica Amaka Agu and co. leading her to lies and troubles with the INS.
22. Celestina as adult living independently made a decision to not tell any of her families including her community in Houston about her troubles with INS. Celestina made the decision to tell her friends Eric Ufom and Jessica Amaka Agu who then misled her to lies and trouble with INS.
23. Celestina did not obey the INS order to leave the country and INS picked her up for deportation in February 9, 2007. To subvert her deportation and other intents, Eric Ndubueze Ufom and Jessica Amaka Agu who had been misleading her concocted a trafficking story and contacted anti-human trafficking, human rights organizations and government officials in various parts of the United States.
24. This human trafficking story is the concoction of Eric Ndubueze Ufom and Jessica Amaka Agu because from 1999 to February 9, 2007 Celestina was living independently and she never made any claims about human trafficking, slavery, sexual abuse and other abuses.
25. This human trafficking, slavery and abuse claims are senseless rubbish
26. The Ikeakor family showed and continues to show Celestina Ifeacho Joseph support and love, regardless. I and my relatives have visited Celestina at the INS detention facility.

Betty Ego Ikeakor presents photos showing Celestina with happy appearance.

The facts and records of Celestina life laid out above does not in any way resemble by any stretch of imagination, the lifestyle and achievements of a person held in any form of slavery.

Those are what I had to say so far about those wicked concoctions.

Again, above are collections of Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor’s response.

Africans In America News Watch’s analysis

Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna, an expert on African community matters and the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc., a leading human rights organization addressing social issues concerning the larger African community in United States, took very close look at the issues and delivered the analysis. Here are the excerpts:

Celestina presents an interesting case study for the governments, law enforcement agencies, anti-human trafficking and other human rights organizations and the African community in general, both in the continent and in the Diaspora.

This case may appear complicated to a layperson, but actually, it is not complicated at all to experts in law, experts in human trafficking, experts in human rights and experts in African cultural practices when all the facts are honestly laid out on the table. Having had the opportunity to interact and listen extensively to the both sides of this case, it is not complicated to me, in the least.

Having said that let me begin a public discussion by offering my analysis this way:

How Africans In America, Inc. got involved in this Celestina case

Terrified Celestina Ifeacho Joseph in INS detention. Betty says Celestina committed immigration fraud and hence should be deported to Nigeria. Celestina does not want to be deported because her life will be in danger. She says that Betty Ego Ikeakor is a powerful woman in Nigeria.

How Africans In America, Inc. got introduced to this case is very clear. Ms. Temitope Ajayi, a Nigerian woman who lives in Vallejo, California contacted Africans In America, Inc. in about middle of February 2007 with Mr. Eric Ufom who lives in Houston, Texas on telephone conference call. I, Bonaventure Ezekwenna, took that call.

What was presented to me was that a young girl was trafficked into Houston, Texas from Nigeria in 1984 at age of 10, was used as a babysitter and housemaid; that she was never sent to school; that she was terribly abused physically, financially, sexually and emotionally and economically exploited for over 15 years without pay; that she escaped from her traffickers and to make matters worse, now as an adult that she was starting to build her life, the INS arrested her, put her in detention in Houston, Texas and getting ready to deport her. We were requested to intervene urgently and join in the effort to save the lady.

I felt sorry because we are aware that human trafficking and gross and severe abuse of the victims are major problems in our community here in United States. I asked for other people that were aware of this case and know the victim very well, and Mrs. Jessica Amaka Agu, a Nigerian immigrant registered nurse also residing in Houston, Texas was given to me. I contacted Mrs. Agu and she confirmed the story. Again, the urgency to intervene was emphasized and collaborated.

I inquired what kind of help is needed from my organization, and the answer was to raise the awareness of the U. S. government to the allegation that this lady in INS detention is a victim of human trafficking since that is the kind of issue my organization deals with, so they will not deport her and allow her to stay in this country. I made it clear that the only thing we could do at this moment is to raise awareness of the authority to investigate and determine the merit of the victim’s statement. Whether the authority will listen or not is out of our control. This was understood and accepted.

U.S. President George W. Bush, also a Texan has been alerted about Celestina situation; the world waits for his response.

Based on the urgency to stop the imminent deportation I wrote the United States government agencies, including President George Bush and some major human rights organizations working on human trafficking with a view to alert them, raise their awareness and to suspending her deportation and request thorough/clinical investigation of this possible human trafficking case.

Let it be clear that a call to investigate is not an accusation, nor is it an indictment. It is simple a call for the state which has the full powers to look at records and things and make the determination as to the facts and truth. Investigation will determine the facts among allegations flying around.

If one is falsely accused and if it is determined that the accusation is intentionally malicious, there has to be a way to seek redress.

We at Africans In America, Inc. do not know the whole story and we do not have the answers.

Since AfricansInAmericaNewsWatch.com, the awareness division of Africans In America, Inc. was the first outfit to break this Celestina news on March 30, 2007, our office has been besieged by inquiries from bigger human rights organizations throughout United States, national and international news media, institutions, government offices and the public.

In early April 2007, International Guardian published by Guardian Newspapers, Inc. of Texas, an African immigrant community newspaper based in Houston, Texas courageously followed and carried 2 very huge articles about the case. The boldness of International Guardian is complimentary and commendable because commercial African immigrant media normally shy away from such hot subjects that could offend their constituency.

Africans In America, Inc. monitored the impact of the articles on the Nigeria community in Houston. Reports indicate that Nigerian slave keepers in Houston and their associates particularly are highly uncomfortable.

Obviously, poor Celestina while detained in INS prison is making major waves and generating heated discussions, which ordinarily are taboo within immigrant African communities in United States and around the globe.

The International Guardian articles spotlighted and engineered necessary grassroots’ discussions and debates on the major problem of human trafficking within African community. The International Guardian coverage of Celestina story was public awareness bonanza.

We hope the debate will call into question the conduct of various community associations, whose stated objectives are primarily the welfare of indigenes residing in their areas of registration.

Since Celestina is a female and an indigene of Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra States, Igboland of Nigeria, her case calls into question the response of Enugwu-Ukwu community association in Houston, Anambra associations in Houston, Igbo associations in Houston, Nigeria associations in Houston, Igbo and Nigerian women associations in Houston just to mention only a few.

We hope the Secretary of State, State Attorney General and the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are taking notes.

Since we got into this matter, new information have emerged regarding Celestina in INS detention, her Houston-based supporters and her relatives that allegedly trafficked her into the United States in 1984 at the age of 10 and abused her.

I have suffered insolence, indignation, falsely accused with view to intimidate, innuendos, reckless conducts that put me and my family at risk, and assorted threats from both the alleged trafficker’s group and more from the so-called supporters of Celestina that had requested our involvement, detail of which we shall not discuss at this moment.

I could have fought back wildly, pound for pound, but I restrained because fighting back the animalistic way could seriously hurt Celestina’s case. At the appropriate time, however, Africans In America, Inc. shall surely unmask the masquerades.

Having interacted and discussed extensively over the telephone and physically with some of the Houston-based key players in this case, I have more than enough reasons to keep a safe distance while being steadfast in raising awareness on general problem of human trafficking and gross abuse of genuine victims within the African community; and calling for thorough/clinical investigation of this Celestina case, including all the Houston-based key players.

I must add that some of the conducts and expressed motives of these key players may be illegal, cover-ups, obstruction of justice, selfish and may be hurting genuine effort to assist the Celestina in INS detention. Those conducts may also be interfering with necessary intelligent discussion and dialogue with the Nigerian community on the issue of human trafficking.

Frankly speaking, Mrs. Ikeakor presented revealing, interesting and powerful response in attempt to debunk the allegations of human trafficking, gross abuse and exploitation of Celestina. However, there are few very serious un-addressed questions, namely:

• The reason Celestina did not have a formal education from 1984 (age 10) to 1993 (age 19) and had to get G.E.D. instead of High School Diploma was not satisfactorily addressed.
• What Celestina did in their household from1984 (age 10) to March 2000 (age 26) before she moved out of Ikeakor residence was not addressed at all.
• Proof that she was paid for any work she may have done for them from 1984 (age 10) to March 2000 (age 26) was not addressed at all.
• The reason her immigration status was not adjusted when it expired until 1997 when she allegedly married someone for purpose of green card was not addressed at all, as well.
• It has to be noted and recalled that from 1984 (age 10) to March 2000 (age 26), Celestina was still under the control of her alleged traffickers and captors.
• The origin of some alleged bruises and marks at various parts of her body, and other symptoms of serious abuses were not addressed.
• Whatever Celestina knows, her socialization process, upbringing, grooming, etc from age 10 up was what the Ikeakors taught her.
• And many more unanswered questions.

Child Celestina "happy" at work.

Let me just add that human trafficking perpetrators traffic both strangers and relatives. One could be a relative and still be a victim of trafficking-in-person. The fact that the alleged victim is a relative of the alleged perpetrator does not lessen the crime, if it actually did occur. But again, we at Africans In America, Inc. do not know the answers, yet. Only government investigation can determine the answer.

This case should not be about Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor (a.k.a. Betty Ego Ikeakor), who has been described as a Nigeria immigrant multi-millionaire businesswoman based in Houston, Texas; nor should it be about Mr. Eric Ndubueze Ufom, who has been described as a Nigeria immigrant ex-convict (mail/wire fraud and money laundering, Orlando, Florida), according to Florida Inmate public record. This case is primarily about what happened to Celestina Ifeacho Joseph, a Nigerian female who was brought to Houston, Texas at the age of 10 in 1984 with promises of education and better life, allegedly abused by many but now facing uncertain future.

Let me just add that the young woman, Celestina Ifeacho Joseph, currently in INS detention is in a very bad shape. The Houston-based individuals claiming to support her may have made so many mistakes, including misguiding/misleading the clearly frightened young woman that lead her to arrest and now facing deportation.

Based on all the information we gathered, I saw the multiple serious mistakes, cover-ups and obstruction of justice and gave them my candid opinion that from now on, everybody should stick with the truth and nothing but the truth - including the good, the bad and the ugly as long as that is the truth, including their involvement in abusing and taking advantage of Celestina. I told them that is the only by telling the truth that Celestina could get some reprieve from the government of United States on humanitarian ground because they had already seriously misguided her and wounded her case.

Those mistakes were made prior to contacting Africans In America, Inc. I must add that those mistakes continue till today resulting in my discomfort with this group and individuals.

Just about every week these people claiming to support Celestina would tell me; “Let me open up to you now; or, Let me tell you the truth now, Let me tell you something I had not told you before”. After couple of days I would hear the same “Let me open up to you now; or, Let me tell you the truth now, Let me tell you something I had not told you before”. After hearing this about 4 or 5 times, I became frustrated at which of the many different ‘truths’ is the actual truth.

It is my sincere belief that clinical investigation by government agency with statutory powers and skills will be able to determine the ‘truthfully true truth’, whatever that may be.

Seasoned immigration attorneys from highly reputable human rights organizations that contacted Africans In America, Inc. with view to assist Celestina expressed serious concern that even though getting a reprieve for her is not impossible, but it could be a difficult process.

One particular key huddle mentioned was the very difficult task of overturning or setting aside the ruling of an immigration Judge.

The fact that Celestina did not say anything to any U.S. government official throughout the many times she came in contact with them after she became an adult and after she had left her alleged traffickers, until she was arrested for deportation makes her case more difficult. The attorneys added that though it may be a difficult process to get a reprieve for Celestina, it is not impossible.

However, that could also be a strong indication that Celestina was terribly traumatized and too afraid to open up, a clear symptom of trafficking victim; or, that she was just lying to avoid deportation.

Well, Africans In America, Inc. believes the U.S. government investigation will unravel the correct answer.

U. S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales. Human trafficking is federal crime. His office handles human trafficking cases in United States.

The Victim of Trafficking Protection Act (VTPA) effective October 28, 2000 established new tools and resources to combat human trafficking. The Act also requires an array of services and protections for victims of severe forms of trafficking.

This law covers not all victims of human trafficking. The threshold is very high and very difficult to meet. But couple of our clients (Africans In America, Inc. clients) have been able to meet those difficult requirements, gotten certified as victims of trafficking-in-person,  gotten T visa and associated benefits.

The law has very serious limitations and difficulties; and Africans In America, Inc. is one of the few organizations advocating relaxation of that law to benefit the African victims not currently covered due to status of limitation.

Since Celestina reportedly left her alleged trafficker’s residence in March 2000 and had been living independently, working, getting paid, keeping and managing her own money since then, her case may present a challenge for immigration attorneys.

These are some of the reasons I suggested getting an immigration attorney from a bigger reputable human rights organization to provide pro bono legal services while we mobilize broad base American society support for Celestina. But unfortunately, the Houston-based key players have different and sinister agenda.

Major serious problem I had with the Houston-based group started over fundraising issues.

About March 26, 2007 one of the Houston-based key players contacted me and orally requested my organization to open a bank account in Bank of America, New York to start raising funds for Celestina’s case. I told him that I could do that only when properly invited in writing and the purpose of the fund fully discussed and agreed upon.

I also told him that the best approach will be to get a big reputable human rights organization to provide pro bono legal services for Celestina. I also communicated my suggestion to the rest of the key players given to me. They rejected my suggestion and stated that they will arrange a private attorney. They stated that they would not trust any attorney to handle the case the way they want it except the one they arrange and pay. They mentioned a female attorney that had been informally criticizing the shoddy job done by Celestina’s Nigerian attorney. They believe she could steer the case the way they want to protect their involvement is exploiting Celestina.

I told them that what they were trying to do could be illegal and could hurt Celestina’s case.

However, the next day or so I saw solicitation for donation for Celestina. I called them and expressed my concern and reservation about it because the use of fund has not been discussed. I noticed the Houston-based group clearly speaking on both sides of their mouths.

To make matters worse, few days latter I saw a false statement in the International Guardian, Houston, Texas (Guardian Newspapers, Inc. of Texas), http://www.guardiannews.us, headline; Houston Slavery Scandal and written by Mr. Anthony Obi Ogbo, quote; “A 'Celestina Ifeacho Defense Fund' has been established by the Africans in America, Inc. soliciting financial assistance to aid their progress.”

I was shocked because this statement is completely false. Africans in America, Inc. has not established such, or any ‘fund’, and Africans in America, Inc. is not involved in any fundraising for Celestina Ifeacho Joseph legal defense at this moment. The reason someone will make such false claim using the name of my organization is beyond me. I have since learnt that they have started collecting money from the public in Houston after using my organization’s name. I was not happy with that.

I publicly disassociated my organization from that statement and the same day the key player in Houston sent threats to me that he will wage ‘human and divine war’ with me utilizing his networks and concluded by stating that ‘the end is now.’

About a day after the threats, I received email from Mr. Anthony Ogbo, Editor of International Guardian, Houston, Texas requesting ‘news interview’ stating among other things that he discovered some questions with my organization’s 2006 IRS filing. He went on to accuse me of attempting to sabotage the Celestina case and concluded that this will be part of his next issue (May 2007) of his newspaper.

I immediately prepared petition and materials to forward to the law enforcement in Texas and New York because I believe that my objection to misuse of my organization to achieve ulterior motives may have been one of the reasons for those threats and ‘harassments’ from their ‘networks’. However, Mr. Ogbo returned my calls and we had what I believed to be useful and respectful discussion. Mr. Ogbo explained the origin of the misleading statement and promised to publish a correction in the next issue of his newspaper.

I told Mr. Ogbo that if he or anyone has any information about any wrongdoing by Africans In America, Inc. or its officers, let the person take it to the law enforcement expressly. But for threats, I have zero tolerance for those, period. Mr. Ogbo in turn told me to disregard the request for ‘news interview’ because it was sent to me in error.

Based on the quality of our conversation, I gave him the benefit of doubt and scaled down my response.

Let me repeat that, allowing immigration attorneys from bigger reputable human rights organizations to provide pro bono legal services and mobilizing broad base American society support for Celestina is in her best interest at this moment. But unfortunately, the Houston-based people who have now cornered the naïve poor Celestina have a different agenda other than Celestina’s best interest.

I am stating this for the record because this matter generated a serious misunderstanding resulting in all sorts of criminal threats of harming my organization and I.

I hope community members understand that they must not abuse the tax-exempt status of organizations assisting them. Community members requesting our assistance also have to understand the need to work in harmony, as well.

Let me state that I am privy to schemes by a group of Nigerians living in Houston that may have ‘re-captured and exploiting’ Celestina, again. Now that the system has been alerted about the alleged first slavery of Celestina, Africans In America, Inc. wants to state that the United States government has the responsibility to ensure that Celestina Ifeacho Joseph does not fall victim ever again to another set of criminal gang currently scheming to take complete hold of her.

I have abundant proof that the so-called Celestina benefactors and guardians in Houston have no interest of Celestina in mind. They had misled her into concealing useful information from the U.S. government and law enforcement because they had also used, abused, exploited and still exploiting Celestina in very many illegal ways. They are using this Celestina case to nail Mrs. Ifeakor and at the same time cover their involvement in Celestina ordeals.

If people want to play games with the system, let it be clear that they must not invite Africans In America, Inc. into their shenanigan. At appropriate time, the masquerades shall be unmasked.

Dealing with human trafficking cases needs specialized skills and experience. It needs methodological and programmatic approach.

There are networks and coalitions of organizations that have developed programs fighting human trafficking and rendering assistance to the victims in almost every state throughout United States. When community members brings or refers a case to organizations dealing with such issues, they should step back and allow those talents to work. Dealing on human trafficking cases is very delicate, sensitive, complex and difficult process.

Some reputable and powerful human rights organizations, including the national secretariat of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops based in Washington D.C. contacted our office and volunteer to provide attorney for Celestina legal representation. The individuals claiming to represent Celestina in Houston blocked those offers and choose to seek a private attorney and raise money from the public for her legal representation.

The reason they did this is very dubious and perhaps criminal. Most of their actions are not in the interest of Celestina. They are more interested in getting an attorney who they hope will shield them from their roles in abusing and exploiting Celestina while exposing only the alleged Ikeakors’ roles.

It has to be noted that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is one of the organizations that received federal grant to fight human trafficking in United States.

These actions by the so-called Celestina benefactors and guardians speak volumes.

Apart from the Ikeakors as alleged, another set of people that disappointed, invariably failed and harmed Celestina are:

• Her relatives, her many blood cousins in Houston, Texas, her traffickers’ close friends and associates who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• All the men and women that were aware of her plights, those she befriended and tried to please, but in return did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• The group of individual that have currently cornered Celestina case and making decisions that are not in her best interest with a view to pursue some ulterior agenda.
• The Enugwu-Ukwu community in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• Anambra community in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• The Igbo community in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• The Nigerian community in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• The African community in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• All the various Igbo and Nigerian professional associations in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• All the Igbo and Nigerian religious associations in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.
• All the Igbo and Nigerian women associations in Houston, Texas, who were aware of her plights, did nothing to help and joined in exploiting her.

The Nigerian, especially the Anambra and Igbo communities in Houston, Texas must take action to solve this Celestina problem in their midst.

“If you think that this is an isolated case with African communities in western world, think again. If anyone tells you that this is part of the African culture, don’t believe it.”

Sadly, there are many more ‘Celestina Ifeacho Josephs’ scattered in various parts of the United States.

Let me state clearly that Africans In America, Inc. is not part of any attack against Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor, directly or indirectly, in any way shape or form. The woman has not been charged with any crime. I have no information to believe that she is even a suspect in any crime. All the attacks against her, which I read on the Internet, are totally wrong. Africans In America, Inc. disassociates itself from such reckless attacks.

Africans In America, Inc. believes that one could advocate for Celestina civilly without all those reckless attacks. We resisted all pressure to join in insulting and attacking the woman. We never even mentioned her name in any of our articles or releases while advocating for Celestina; rather, we have concentrated on shining the lights on Celestina problems.

Even if one is charged of an offence, that person remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Even if it is determined at the end that Celestina was trafficked, the government may decide to allow her to stay in this country and still not charge her traffickers for one reason or another.

Having raised the awareness of the government, genuine advocates should have relaxed and let the system make the decision. If the system contacts anyone, he or she would tell them what we know.

You cannot be the advocate for the complainant, the complainant, prosecutor, the judge and the jury, the correction and probation officer all at the same time.

We hope the Houston-based key players see reasons, abandon some selfish, destructive and ulterior motives, handover Celestina’s case to a reputable human rights organization working on human trafficking to genuinely assist Celestina.

For the record, Africans In America, Inc. is not concerned with the propaganda of key players in Houston trying to undo each other and we will never be party to it.

Celestina bears classic representation of human trafficking victims.

Lured and recruited from poverty situation in Africa and trafficked into North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, South America and within Africa. Intimidated, compromised and indoctrinated with convoluted socialization process. Grossly abused in various forms by the traffickers, captors and their associates. The traumatized victims do whatever they are told to do. The abuse does not normally stop with the traffickers/captors and their associates. Community members very aware of victims like Celestina’s situation also do take advantage, grossly and selfishly mislead victims, attempt to ‘recapture’ and further exploit them. Some individual do may jump into Celestina case with schemes to extort money for themselves and careless about the victim. These are some of the characteristics of typical victim; these are what I have so far observed about Celestina.

The people that abused Celestina could be divided into 2 categories namely: the primary and secondary abusers

1).         The primary abusers may consist of the recruiter, captors and their associates

2).          The secondary abusers may consist of the community members in Houston that feasted on her ordeal, took advantage of her, misguided her, misled her, abused her, to use their word ‘banged her’, exploit her and still scheming to ‘recapture’ her upon release from INS detention.

I hope the United States government will put all these into consideration and grant Celestina reprieve and free her forever.

Let me add that this case in now beyond Celestina Ifeacho Joseph. The bigger picture here is the huge and obviously sensitive and explosive hidden problem of human trafficking tearing apart lives and African community.

When we started Africans In America, Inc. in 2001 after the liberation of the Chairperson of our Board, nobody cared to listen to us, only very few opened their doors to us. But today, world political, business and social leaders are ringing our telephones, emails and mails for support, information and research.

The movement is just about to begin.

Africans In America, Inc. is satisfied that United States government put Celestina’s deportation on hold for now and apparently reopen investigation of her many allegations, according to reports. We thank the United States government for listening to a very small African organization.

Let me also say again that since coming into this Celestina case, I have come across information on tactics and motives (not mentioned in this analysis) that make me to believe it is best to keep a safe distance from some of the Houston-based individuals claiming to support her, while at the same time standing ready to play any well-thought out, honest and legal role to bring clarity and reprieve her way; a very difficult and delicate rope to walk, indeed.

We hope the truth will be established and justice prevails at the end.

Ms. Celestina Ifeacho Joseph and other key players are members of our larger community in the United States. We believe everybody shall tell the truth eventually, for justice to prevail – unity in the community.

Our concern, interest and aim are for truth and justice to prevail. Our call for thorough/clinical investigation remains the valid and the best approach for that truth and justice to prevail.

Now and in the future, in this case and other future cases, Africans In America, Inc. will always like to be part of the solution to the problem of human trafficking as long as truth, fairness and justice are paramount.

Despite all the difficulties this case may present, my organization’s aim is for Celestina Ifeacho Joseph to be released from the INS detention by appealing to the mercy and considerations of United States government to allow her to stay in this country.

We at Africans In America, Inc. hope that the controversy, noise, news interests this case generate within the Nigerian community will help to raise the awareness on the issues of human trafficking. We hope the awareness will encourage the Nigeria and other African community in the United States to research and read Victim of Trafficking Protection Act (VTPA).

We also believe that various communities, especially African communities in the United States could immensely benefit from our 1hour workshop on ‘What is Human Trafficking?’

We hope that many African slaves, maids and servants still undergoing life of horror in captivity anywhere in United States get freedom from awareness generated by Celestina.

Two things vital to the work we (Africans In America, Inc.) do are namely; awareness and support. We hope that African communities particularly, the Nigerian community in United States learn from this Celestina case and join us in the effort to combat human trafficking and gross abuse to the victims.

Long lives the Republic of Nigeria

Freedom for Mother Africa, and

May God continue to abundantly bless America!