Courts / Dublin / Report
Mother acquitted of trafficking and forcing woman into prostitution after "complete conflict" in evidence
Summary
Ms Joy Imasogie, aged 40, was charged in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with trafficking a Nigerian woman into Ireland and forcing her into prostitution between March 2006 and April 2008. The accused pleaded not guilty. During the trial, the alleged victim testified that she had been subjected to a "voodoo process" in Nigeria, swore not to report Imasogie, and was told she would have to sleep with men to repay a €50,000 debt. She claimed she stopped working as a prostitute in 2008 after cutting ties with Imasogie, but evidence from a women's health project showed she continued to advertise and work as a prostitute, and a file revealed she was found with Imasogie's husband and €14,000 cash. Judge Patricia Ryan found the evidence contradictory and unsafe for the jury, directing a not‑guilty verdict. Imasogie denied organising prostitution or trafficking, stating she sometimes let the woman do her hair for food.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother acquitted of trafficking and forcing woman into prostitution after "complete conflict" in evidence. Charges or matters: organising for the woman to enter the country illegally, to compelling or coercing the woman to be a prostitute and to controlling or directing the activities of prostitution for gain on dates between March 2006 and April 2008. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-01-31 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: organising for the woman to enter the country illegally, to compelling or coercing the woman to be a prostitute and to controlling or directing the activities of prostitution for gain on dates between March 2006 and April 2008 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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