Canada-based Nigerian tech recruiter Ebunoluwa Tomiwa arrested over human trafficking charges

A 33-year-old Belleville man, Ebunoluwa Tomiwa, also known as “Boon,” has been arrested and charged in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, over alleged human trafficking and sexual offences after turning himself in hours after he was declared wanted, the Peoples Gazette reports.

“Hamilton Police have arrested Ebunoluwa Tomiwa after he turned himself into Police earlier this morning. Tomiwa will be appearing in court for a bail hearing,” police said in a statement.

Tomiwa, 33, of Belleville, is charged with trafficking in persons, procuring for sexual services, material benefit – trafficking of persons and withholding documents, according to police.

Hamilton Police had earlier sought him in connection with an ongoing human trafficking investigation and asked the public for help tracking him down, the Toronto Sun reported.

Tomiwa lists himself as a tech recruiter at TEKsystems on LinkedIn, according to the Peoples Gazette. The Sun reported, citing loyalistlancers.com, that he played multiple seasons as a forward for the men’s basketball team at Loyalist College in Belleville, ending in 2018-19, and served on the coaching staff until 2020.

“Investigators believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone who may have information, or who believes they may have been victimized, to come forward and speak with investigators,” police added.

“We recognize that human trafficking can have lasting impacts and that speaking about these experiences with police, family or friends can be difficult,” police said. “Survivors who are not ready to make a police report but would like support can contact Hamilton Police Victim Services at 905-546-4904.”

Anyone with information regarding the ongoing investigation is urged to call the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-546-3831 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).