A man accused of using juju magic to entrap children before trafficking them to Europe to work as prostitutes has claimed that HE is a victim of their lies.

The Nigerian girls – all in their mid-teens - have alleged they were subjected to sexual abuse and witchcraft rituals by Gravesend man Osezua Osolase.

But the 42-year-old security guard at one of London's top fashion shops has told a jury at Canterbury Crown Court: "They are all lying. I have never raped anyone in my life."

Osolase, of Beaumont Drive, has denied 12 offences of trafficking, rape and sexual activity with a child.

He also rejected suggestions he used juju magic rituals to frighten the girls into remaining silent about their journey from Nigeria to London and Gravesend – before being sent to Italy and Spain on false passports.

Osolase has admitted that he arranged their flights to Europe using illegal passports – but claimed he thought they were all aged over 18.

Prosecutor Sarah Ellis, in her final speech to the jury, said the girls had lied about their names because they feared what might happen to them.

"They had a reason to lie but as far Mr Osolase is concerned it is simply to save his skin.

"In Nigeria, life is cheap and in particular the lives of young Nigerian girls are cheap and the prosecution say that to Mr Osolase these girls weren't human beings... they were commodities, they were just goods.

"The idea of trafficking people for prostitution is a vile concept, but it is an industry now."

She claimed Osolase had brought the girls into the UK before giving them fake passports to travel to Italy and Spain where they would work as prostitutes.

One of the girls has claimed she was forced to undergo a juju witchcraft ritual to ensure her silence – which involved having her pubic hair cut and fingernail clippings taken before swearing an oath.

The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict later this week.