The Tema Regional Police Command has secured the conviction and sentencing of two men, Kingsley Ndifon, 29, and Emmanuel Akong, 25, to 20 years’ imprisonment each for human trafficking and the abuse of 11 Nigerian nationals rescued in Tema.
The two suspects were arrested on August 20, 2023, at Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema, following a distress call received by the Afienya District Police Command that several people were being held against their will in a house. A police patrol team, with the assistance of concerned residents, rescued the victims and arrested the suspects. During a search of the premises, officers recovered 16 laptops and one iPad from rooms occupied by the accused.
Police investigations revealed that the victims had been recruited from Nigeria to Ghana under the pretext of being offered employment. However, upon their arrival, they were allegedly confined in the house and forced to engage in cyber-related fraud. Investigators said the suspects confiscated the victims’ mobile phones and identity cards and compelled them to carry out internet fraud using laptops provided by them.
Further investigations established that the victims were fed only once a day and subjected to severe physical abuse whenever they failed to comply with instructions. They were allegedly beaten with laptop charging cables and machetes, resulting in multiple injuries, including cutlass wounds. Police also found the victims to be malnourished and in poor health.
The suspects were arraigned before Circuit Court B in Tema, presided over by Her Honour Naomi Adusei Amamiampong Kucour, on charges of conspiracy to commit crime, namely human trafficking, human trafficking, and causing harm, contrary to the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694).
At the conclusion of the trial, the court found both accused persons guilty of human trafficking and causing harm. Each was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years’ imprisonment for causing harm, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The Tema Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, cybercrime and all forms of abuse. It urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of human trafficking and other criminal activities to the Police for swift action.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
