Two stepbrothers, one with an address in Dublin and the other with an address in Derry, have been accused by PSNI detectives of being members of an international people-trafficking operation.
The two Nigerians appeared before a special sitting of the Magistrates' Court in Derry on Saturday following their arrests in the city on Thursday. A third Nigerian man, with an address in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been handed over by the PSNI to the immigration authorities.
Appearing before Magistrate Liam McNally were Akeem Olugbenga Shittu (29), from Lohunda Crescent, Blanchardstown, Dublin and Alexander Success (25), from Waterfoot Park, Waterside, Derry. The defendants, who are originally from Lagos, are jointly charged with assisting illegal entry into the UK in that between January 1st, 2002 and December 31st, 2002, they made or carried out arrangements to secure or facilitate the entry into the UK of Justin Tan, an illegal Chinese immigrant, contrary to Section 25 (1) of the Immigration Act, 1971.
The offence is alleged to have occurred in Coleraine, Co Derry.
Detective constable Tim McCullough said the defendants replied "not guilty" when charged with the offence.
The detective opposed bail because he believed they would not turn up for any future trial and there was a strong possibility of interference with witnesses.
The detective, who is attached to the Organised Crime Squad, claimed the defendants were involved in an international network of people trafficking which included China, Germany, South Africa, Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland and he added that Interpol was assisting the PSNI's investigations.
He said that last year Mr Success was stopped at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of possessing a false passport. There he admitted using false names and confirmed that he had changed his name by deed poll.
Cross-examined by defence solicitor Johnny Sandhu, the detective confirmed that in 2004, the UK government had granted Mr Success an "indefinite stay" and Mr Shittu has a child in the Republic of Ireland and has been given residence there.
The defendants were remanded in custody to June 15th.