Couple used 'African witchcraft' to trick migrants into prostitution

Published: 2014 September 24 13:54:03 (14060 Views)

Lizzy Idahosa, 23, and Jackson Omoruyi, 41, are in court accused of using African black magic to frighten two women aged 23 and 29 coming from Nigeria to Britain to work as prostitute.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that the alleged victims were forced to eat snails and snakes as part of a black magic ceremony before being sent to work in brothels and massage parlours.

A jury heard the women were in fear of 'illness, madness, infertility or death' if they went against the African witchcraft by refusing to sleep with strangers for money.

And all the money they made from prostitution, which came to more than £40,000, was pocketed by Idahosa and Omoruyi, the court was told.

The court heard that one woman believed she was coming to the UK to find her father, but ended up trapped in 'thoroughly miserable life' sleeping with up to eight men a day at brothels including the Ambassador massage parlour in Cardiff.

The woman, who got through border controls using fake documents, allegedly paid £45,550 to Idahosa and her husband Omoruyi.

The second woman was allegedly told she was going to find work in a shop with Idahosa in London.

She was allowed into the UK after telling immigration officials she was a lesbian and would be sacrificed if she didn't leave Nigeria.

But the court heard that when she arrived in Britain, she was also made to work in brothels and massage parlours up and down the country.

She claims she felt she had 'no choice' because she had taken part in a juju ceremony.

Miss Rees said: 'She was taken to see the juju man, she was given dirty water and made to eat a snake.

'She was told not to say anything - she believed the ritual was bonding upon her.'

The women were found following an immigration raid on a massage parlour in Cardiff, while Idahosa and Omoruyi were later arrested at their home in Brockley, South London.

Idahosa denies seven charges including trafficking for prostitution and moving criminal property, while Jackson denies three charges charges of inciting the women to become prostitutes and transferring criminal property.

Heavily pregnant Idahosa, who has lived off benefits since 2011, claims she was also trafficked to the UK following a juju ritual.

The trial continues.

Source - DailyMail

Tags: witchcraft, migration, trafficking,

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