A Lagos Chief Magistrate‘s Court has adjourned the alleged human trafficking case involving 45-year-old Martina Adebayo to October 29, 2026, when the matter will come up again for mention.
The defendant had previously been granted bail on June 9, 2026, by Magistrate Lateef Owolabi. Her bail conditions included a ₦500,000 bond and two sureties, each required to provide proof of ownership of landed property. The case had earlier been scheduled for trial on July 16, 2026 before the latest adjournment.
Police Allege Teen Was Lured Abroad for Prostitution
According to police investigators, Martina Adebayo was arrested on June 1, 2026, before being transferred to the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command for investigation.
Authorities alleged that her daughter, Tosin Adebayo, also known as Tosin Moses, who is currently at large, lured a 16-year-old girl, identified only as Hannah, from Nigeria to Libya in February 2026.
Police claimed the teenager was later forced into prostitution after arriving in the North African country.
Investigators further alleged that officers raided a property in Adamo, Ikorodu, on June 1 in an attempt to arrest both suspects. However, only Martina Adebayo was found at the residence.
The police alleged that she was preparing to travel to Libya with another victim when she was arrested.
Authorities Allege Organized Recruitment of Young Girls
Police told the court that investigations revealed an alleged network used to recruit young girls from Lagos.
According to investigators, the defendant allegedly invited young women to her residence in Adamo before taking them to another family house located at Lucky Fibre, Itokin Road, Ikorodu, where arrangements were allegedly made to transport them outside Nigeria.
Authorities also alleged that the 16-year-old victim had been living with her father in Okonron, Adamo, Ikorodu, before she was reportedly persuaded by Tosin Adebayo to leave Nigeria in late January 2026.
Police said the teenager travelled through Ghana before arriving in Libya in February. She later escaped and returned to Nigeria on May 27, 2026.
Charges Accuse Mother and Daughter of Human Trafficking Conspiracy
According to the charge filed by the police, Martina Adebayo and her daughter allegedly conspired to recruit and traffic young girls for prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged that between February and March 2026, at No. 12 New Era Street, Parata, Ikorodu, Lagos, both suspects conspired to harbour and traffic three girls from Ikorodu to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the purpose of prostitution.
The alleged offences were said to be contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The allegations remain before the court and have not been proven.
Defence Maintains Accused Is Innocent
During an earlier hearing, prosecuting counsel Adegoke Philip requested that the defendant be remanded for 30 days while legal advice was being awaited from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The application was opposed by defence counsel Raji Lateef, who argued that the defendant was not a flight risk and should be granted bail.
At the latest court session, defence counsel Ayo Odekunle maintained that Martina Adebayo was innocent and denied any involvement in the alleged trafficking activities.
The prosecution informed the court that the alleged victims were present during the proceedings.
Magistrate Questions Earlier Bail Decision Before Adjournment
During the hearing, the magistrate briefly questioned one of the alleged victims before inviting the Investigating Police Officer, Bunmi Adejobi, to testify.
After hearing submissions from both parties, the magistrate questioned why the defendant had earlier been granted bail on June 9 before adjourning the matter.
The case is now scheduled to return to court on October 29, 2026, for further proceedings as investigations and legal processes continue.
