Alleged human trafficking victim made up story to stay in Canada: defence

VANCOUVER – A defence lawyer says the alleged victim in a human trafficking case was so desperate to stay in Canada that she made up claims she was forced into domestic servitude.

The lawyer for Mumtaz Ladha, the woman accused of illegally bringing a young Tanzanian woman to Vancouver, is presenting closing arguments at the trial.

Eric Gottardi says there is little evidence to support allegations that Ladha tricked the young woman with a job offer and then forced her to work long hours with little pay, except for the alleged victim’s testimony.

Gottardi says the testimony of the young woman, whose name is covered by a publication ban, was riddled with inconsistencies and lies, and she shouldn’t be believed.

Gottardi says Ladha brought the woman to Canada as a travel companion and to help her if she fell ill, but as the trip neared its end, the woman asked Ladha for help to stay in this country.

The lawyer told the court that Ladha did her best to connect the young woman with immigration consultants and secure her a job, but when those efforts failed, the woman concocted a story of abuse in a last-ditch attempt to stay.