New York, June 30, 2007—The human trafficking suit is coming up at Ogidi high court in Anambra State, Nigeria on Monday and Tuesday July 2nd and 3rd 2007. The case is currently presided over by Hon. Justice J. I. Nweze.

Nigeria’s ‘Servant leader’ President Umaru Yar’Adua, monitor global effort struggling to address human trafficking to address human trafficking

This case instituted by a local human trafficker in November 2004 against a U.S.–based human rights advocate has dragged on for close to 3 years due to various delay tactics being applied by the plaintiff.

There have also been many reports of witness intimidations by the plaintiff.

Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna, the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc. a leading human rights organization addressing social issues, particularly human trafficking concerning the larger African community in United States is the defendant in that suit and he is expected to testify.

The defendant, Mr. Ezekwenna had maintained that the suit is frivolous and has no merit. He further stated the suit was clear abuse of process of the court intended to intimidate and harass him and other activists pursuing global war against human trafficking.

The suit closely watched by governments, global anti-trafficking-in-person network, the media and general public.

This case represents the first case in Nigeria that alleged human trafficking associates are suing the leaders of NGO claiming defamation of character.

President of the United States, George W. Bush

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals there is another international angle to this case because the alleged perpetrator had testified in United States Federal court for another individuals accused for human trafficking in 2000. Those individuals were later convicted on all counts by the U.S. Federal Court in New York.

This suit (Ogidi High Court) instituted since 2004 at Justice Chinwe Amaechi’s court had dragged on until it was recently assigned to Justice J. I. Nweze who has warned that he will not tolerate any delay tactics or witness intimidation.

Africans In America News Watch investigation also reveals that already, the counsel to the plaintiff Barrister Andrew Uzuagu is facing professional misconduct/ disciplinary hearing before the Nigerian Body of Benchers for giving misleading information to the court on May 20, 2005 in an attempt to delay the trial.

Africans In America News Watch investigation further reveals that complaints against Barrister Uzuagu had been investigated by the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association determined that the allegations against him were substantiated and referred the matter to the Nigerian Body of Benchers’ Disciplinary Panel for trial.

Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna has received several threats due to his work on human trafficking and other human rights issues, however, he remains undeterred.

The Nigerian inspector General of Police has been notified but the status of request for police protection is unknown.