By Cynthia Akande
A Nigerian woman identified as Joy Jeff, has been extradited to Rome where she will serve a 13 years jail term for operating a prostitution ring in Italy.
Ms Jeff was flown back to Italy – where she committed the crime, after fleeing Rome to Abuja.
The Italian police confirmed on Wednesday that the culprit had been declared wanted since 2010, shortly after she was sentenced.
In a statement, the police described Ms Jeff as a “prominent figure” in the Nigerian mafia.
“She was arrested in Nigeria on June 4, 2022, on an international warrant issued by Italy,” the statement added.
A video clip released by the Italian police showed Ms Jeff being flown from the Nigerian capital Abuja to Ciampino airport in Rome, where she was taken away in a wheelchair by police, according to Reuters.
The extradition was facilitated by a treaty signed by Nigeria and Italy in 2020.
Italian investigators in the eastern city of Ancona said Ms Jeff played a leading role in trafficking women to Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
They added that women, mostly young ladies, were forced into prostitution by violence and threats.
“Africa today is a strategic location when looking for fugitives and fighting organised crime,” said Vittorio Rizzi, an Italian police chief responsible for international coordination.
Mr Rizzi said Ms Jeff had been convicted in absentia.
Although, in Italy, street prostitution is lawful, but the law frowns upon organised prostitution in the manner Joy had perpetrated it in the country.
