A 22-year-old Nigerian hairdresser has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a court located in Achimota, Ghana, for trafficking two young Nigerian women into the country.
The Ghana-based convict, Nicky Isabella, was sentenced after being found guilty of luring her victims into prostitution under the guise of employment upon arrival in Ghana.
As gathered, Isabella allegedly seized earnings made by the young girls, made them swear an oath by a bible, and shaved their hair while threatening to harm them if her orders were disobeyed.
During her trial, the prosecution counsel, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Isaac Babayi, disclosed that Isabella, in collaboration with an accomplice named Nelly, orchestrated the cross-border trafficking.
Babayi told the court, presided over by Akosua Adjepong, that a search of the convict’s room uncovered a notebook used for recording proceeds and human hair, which she used to intimidate the victims.
The prosecution counsel further urged the court to impose a harsh sentence on the young hairdresser to deter others from committing similar crimes.
In her ruling, Adjepong considered Isabella’s young age and first-time offender status but noted her lack of remorse and the threat posed by human trafficking and imposed a five-year sentence.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, after the proceedings, stated that the agency has launched an investigation to apprehend Nelly, the convict’s accomplice.
Commenting on the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, William Ayariga, reiterated the country’s zero tolerance for human trafficking.
“Ghana is not a haven for human traffickers. Those who lure vulnerable people into Ghana and force them into prostitution will face the full force of the law,” he stated.DSP Ayariga revealed that the Unit secured nine convictions last year, including a landmark 20-year sentence, and reaffirmed its resolve to continue pursuing traffickers with full force.
“We are not slowing down. We will continue arresting, investigating, and prosecuting offenders. No form of human trafficking or migrant smuggling will be tolerated in Ghana. Justice will prevail,” he said.
