Nigerian woman jailed 7 years for human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Ghana

A Nigerian trader, Ada Peace, has been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court after being convicted on charges of human trafficking and immigration-related offences.

The conviction follows an intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Asankragwa Sector Command, which led to the rescue of two victims aged 21 and 13 from alleged exploitation.

Presenting the facts of the case before the court, Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI) John Bernard Otoo disclosed that the victims were lured from Nigeria to Ghana under the false promise of employment as shop attendants.

However, upon arrival, they were allegedly forced into prostitution while the convict appropriated the proceeds from their activities.

Investigations conducted by the GIS Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section revealed that the victims were recruited through accomplices in Nigeria and transported to Ghana, where they were received by Ada Peace at a brothel in Adaase near Asankragwa.

According to prosecutors, the victims were subjected to spiritual intimidation and compelled to engage in commercial sex work to repay debts amounting to six million Nigerian naira.

The prosecution further established that Ada Peace and an accomplice, Rejoice Opara, illegally entered Ghana through unapproved border routes in July 2024 and had remained in the country without the required immigration permits.

While Ada Peace faced four charges, including human trafficking and illegal entry, Opara was fined by the court and discharged.

Reacting to the conviction, Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, strongly condemned human trafficking, sexual exploitation and illegal migration.

He reiterated the Ghana Immigration Service's commitment to investigating and prosecuting offenders, warning that security agencies would not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable persons or violations of the country's immigration laws.

The GIS also urged the public to remain vigilant against trafficking schemes, noting that perpetrators often use deceptive recruitment methods, including promises of jobs and travel opportunities circulated through social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.

The Service further cautioned against making payments to unverified individuals posing as travel agents and encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities to the authorities.

The conviction is being viewed as a significant step in Ghana's efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable persons from exploitation.