Woman faces extradition over sex trafficking and laundering probe

A Nigerian mother-of-three wanted in France in connection with an investigation into trafficking and forcing young women into prostitution, as well as money-laundering, has been brought before the High Court.

The French authorities are seeking the extradition of Trust Egharevba, aged 36, as part of their investigation into the activities of a criminal organisation involved in international money-laundering and human trafficking.

She denies any involvement in any of the matters.

In a warrant seeking her surrender, French authorities said they are investigating complaints that a number of young Nigerian women have been trafficked into France via Italy.

On arrival into France, these women, it is claimed, were forced into prostitution, mainly in the French city of Grenoble, to pay off an “imaginary debt” of some €50,000 each to a criminal gang.

It is claimed the young women’s travel arrangements involved a number of female intermediaries described as “mamas”.

It is alleged that between April 2008 and March 2011, money procured from these young women was laundered from France via Ms Egharevba’s bank accounts in Ireland to Nigeria.

Yesterday, the High Court heard Ms Egharevba was detained on foot of a European arrest warrant (EAW) issued by the French authorities in Lyon.

Detective Sergeant Martin O’Neill of the Garda Extradition Unit told the court he arrested Ms Egharevba at an address at Castlecurragh Park, in Dublin.

The detective said when she was asked if she knew what the matters contained in the EAW were about, she replied: “No I don’t understand.”

Mr Justice Kevin Cross remanded her in custody.

Counsel for Ms Egharevba, whose husband works as a bus driver, said he and her brother were prepared to act as independent sureties for her.

However the lawyers for the State said they were not consenting to bail. The Judge adjourned the extradition application until early October.