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By: Samuel Asamoah
The Tema Regional Police Command has secured the conviction of two men who trafficked eleven Nigerian nationals into Ghana under the guise of offering them jobs before allegedly forcing them into cyber-related fraud and subjecting them to severe abuse.
Two men have been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment each by Circuit Court “B” in Tema after being found guilty of human trafficking and causing harm in a case involving eleven Nigerian nationals who were rescued from captivity.
The convicts, 29-year-old Kingsley Ndifon and 25-year-old Emmanuel Akong, were arrested on August 20, 2023, at Sebrepor near Tema following a distress call received by the Afienya District Police Command that several persons were being held against their will.
Police officers, supported by residents, stormed the location and rescued the eleven victims. A search of the premises led to the recovery of sixteen laptop computers and an iPad, which were retrieved as part of the investigation.
According to a press release signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Tema Regional Police Command, ASP Dede Dzakpasu, investigations revealed that the victims had been lured from Nigeria to Ghana with promises of legitimate employment.
However, upon their arrival, the victims were allegedly confined, had their mobile phones and identification cards confiscated, and were forced to engage in cyber-related fraud.
Police said the victims endured harsh living conditions, receiving only one meal a day and suffering severe physical abuse whenever they failed to meet the suspects’ demands. Investigators found that several of the victims had sustained injuries, including cutlass wounds, and were malnourished and in poor health at the time of their rescue.
The two accused persons were prosecuted on charges of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, human trafficking, and causing harm.
At the conclusion of the trial, the court found both men guilty and sentenced each of them to 20 years’ imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for causing harm. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning each convict will serve 20 years in prison.
The Tema Regional Police Command described the conviction as a significant step in the fight against human trafficking and cyber-enabled crime.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and tackling all forms of exploitation and abuse. It also urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of human trafficking and other criminal activities to the Police to aid early intervention and prosecution.
