Ace Breaking News – In short: Binta Abubakar, 56, has been charged with human trafficking after she allegedly lured people to Australia with the promise of fake scholarships. The dual Australian and Nigerian citizens were arrested on Wednesday after arriving at Brisbane Airport on a flight from Papua New Guinea.
What’s next?
Ms Abubakar was granted conditional bail and will face Brisbane Magistrates Court in September.
A woman who allegedly lured people from Papua New Guinea to Australia with the promise of fully-funded scholarships has been charged with human trafficking.
Australian Federal Police allege 56-year-old Binta Abubakar forced 15 people — aged between 19 and their mid-30s — to work on farms against their will instead of receiving the education they had been promised.
Police allege she also forced the group to live in “oppressive conditions”, including some in shipping containers.
Ms Abubakar, who had been based in PNG since 2023 and worked for what police described as a “legitimate business”, was arrested by AFP officers when she got off a flight at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday.
She has since been charged with more than 30 offences, including human trafficking, deceptive recruitment and debt bondage — the most serious of which carries a 12-year term of imprisonment.
Police said Ms Abubakar was granted conditional bail after appearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Police allege group forced to work on farms
The AFP first began investigating the 56-year-old in 2022 following a tip-off from Queensland Police.
It is alleged she brought 15 PNG nationals to Australia between March 2021 and July 2023 by offering fully-funded educational scholarships.
Police allege the students were then forced to sign legal documents and agree to repay costs associated with tuition, airfares, visa applications, insurance and legal fees, which placed them in excessive debt.
Rather than receiving the education they were promised, Ms Abubakarallegedly forced the group to work on farms at different locations in south-east Queensland, including Caboolture and the Lockyer Valley.
It is alleged she received wages on their behalf, which she withheld, claiming it was repayment for their debts.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said she allegedly threatened the group with deportation if they did not comply with her instructions.
“She also allegedly threatened family members back in PNG,” he said.
Detective Superintendent Telfer said police do not believe the business Ms Abubakar worked for was involved.
‘Disturbing’ case, police say
Detective Superintendent Telfer said police were aware of people being lured to Australia with the promise of a “dream career” or “free education” which they may otherwise not have had access to.
He described the matter as “disturbing”.
“These are individuals who are young … that’s a point of vulnerability, they’re extremely isolated,”
he said.
“They are pursuing an education, a dream to come to Australia … opportunities they don’t find in their own country.”
Detective Superintendent Telfer said some of the group had been living in a “shipping container”, and police also had information that suggested they had been driven long distances in the “boot of a car”.
He said police and other support services were working with some of the 15 PNG nationals who remained in the country.
Police believe there may be more alleged victims.
Ms Abubakar’s bail conditions include mandatory reporting to police and not communicating with alleged victims.
She has also been banned from applying for a passport and entering an international terminal.
Her matter is expected to return to court in Brisbane in September.
At Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency, we prioritise transparency and accountability in all our operations. We wish to clarify that we are not responsible for any external content, hyperlinks, or costs associated with our services. Nevertheless, we remain committed to delivering outstanding services and greatly value your continued support. Thank you for your trust in us.
You must be logged in to post a comment.