A Tema Circuit Court has sentenced two men, Kingsley Ndifon (29) and Emmanuel Akong (25), to 20 years in prison each for human trafficking.
They were found guilty of luring 11 Nigerian nationals to Ghana with fake job promises and forcing them into cyber fraud, a crime that also involved severe physical abuse.
The case began on August 20, 2023, when the Afienya District Police Command received a distress call about individuals being held against their will in a house at Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema.
A police patrol team, assisted by local residents, raided the premises. They arrested Ndifon and Akong and successfully rescued the 11 Nigerian victims, who had been confined in the house.
A search of the property led to the recovery of 16 laptop computers and an iPad, which were allegedly used in the cyber fraud operation.
How the Trafficking Scheme Operated
Police investigations revealed that the victims were recruited from Nigeria under the false pretense of securing employment opportunities in Ghana.
Upon their arrival, the suspects confiscated their mobile phones and identification documents, effectively trapping them in the house.
The victims were then forced to engage in internet fraud, using the laptops provided to them. They were subjected to harsh conditions, including being fed only once a day.
When they failed to comply with instructions, they were physically assaulted with laptop charging cables and machetes, resulting in injuries like cutlass wounds. Many of the victims were found to be malnourished and in poor health at the time of their rescue.
The Trial and Sentencing
The two men were tried at the Tema Circuit Court ‘B’ before Her Honour Naomi Adusei Amamiampong Kucour. They were found guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, human trafficking, and causing harm.
The court sentenced each of them to 20 years in prison for human trafficking and 10 years for causing harm, with both sentences to run concurrently.
Following the conviction, the Tema Regional Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and cyber-related crimes and encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities