Nigerian Woman Jailed Seven Years for Human Trafficking in Ghana
GIS secures conviction after rescuing two victims allegedly lured with fake job offers and forced into prostitution
- Nigerian woman jailed seven years for human trafficking in Ghana
- Two victims were rescued after being lured with false job promises.
- GIS warns against trafficking and deceptive recruitment schemes
A Nigerian national has been sentenced to seven years in prison for human trafficking and immigration-related offences after the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) rescued two victims who were allegedly deceived with promises of employment and later forced into prostitution.
The convict, Ada Peace, a trader, was sentenced by an Accra Circuit Court following investigations conducted by the GIS Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section.
According to the GIS, the conviction stemmed from an intelligence-led operation by its Asankragwa Sector Command, which rescued two victims aged 21 and 13 from exploitation.
Presenting the case in court, Chief Superintendent of Immigration John Bernard Otoo stated that the victims were recruited in Nigeria with promises of jobs as shop attendants in Ghana. However, upon arriving in the country, they were allegedly compelled to engage in commercial sex work while Ada Peace collected the proceeds.
Investigations revealed that the victims were recruited through accomplices in Nigeria, transported to Ghana, and received by the convict at a brothel in Adaase near Asankragwa.
The GIS further disclosed that the victims were subjected to spiritual intimidation and forced into prostitution to repay debts reportedly amounting to six million Nigerian Naira.
Prosecutors also told the court that Ada Peace and an accomplice, Rejoice Opara, entered Ghana through unapproved border routes in July 2024 and remained in the country without valid immigration permits.
While Ada Peace was convicted on four charges, including human trafficking and illegal entry, Opara was fined and discharged by the court.
Reacting to the judgment, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, condemned human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and illegal migration, warning that offenders would face thorough investigations and prosecution.
He stressed that Ghana’s 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, warning that traffickers increasingly use deceptive recruitment methods, including social media platforms, false job offers, and fraudulent travel opportunities to lure unsuspecting victims.
