A Circuit Court in Tema, Ghana, has sentenced two Nigerian nationals, Kingsley Ndifon and Emmanuel Akong, to 20 years’ imprisonment each after convicting them of human trafficking involving 11 fellow Nigerians who were brought into Ghana with promises of employment.

Ndifon, 29, and Akong, 25, were also convicted of causing harm to the victims, who police said were confined in a house and compelled to engage in internet fraud.

The case followed the arrest of the two men on August 20, 2023, after the Afienya District Police Command received a distress call concerning activities at a house in Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema.

According to the Tema Regional Police Command, officers, with the assistance of residents, proceeded to the premises and rescued 11 Nigerian nationals who were allegedly being held against their will.

A search of the building led to the recovery of 16 laptops and an iPad, which investigators said were being used in the operation.

Police investigations established that the victims had been recruited from Nigeria with promises of lucrative employment opportunities in Ghana.

However, after arriving in the country, their mobile phones and identity documents were allegedly taken from them and they were confined to the premises.

Investigators said the victims were then compelled to engage in cyber-related fraudulent activities using laptops provided by those controlling the operation.

Police also presented evidence that the victims were subjected to harsh treatment while at the premises.

They were reportedly given food only once a day and physically assaulted whenever they failed to comply with instructions or meet demands imposed on them.

Some of the victims were said to have been beaten with laptop cables and machetes, with several sustaining injuries while others were found in poor health and showing signs of malnutrition.

Following investigations, Ndifon and Akong were arraigned before Circuit Court ‘B’ in Tema on charges including conspiracy to commit crime, human trafficking and causing harm.

The court, presided over by Her Honour Naomi Adusei Amamiampong Kucuor, eventually found both defendants guilty of human trafficking and causing harm.

Each man was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for human trafficking and a further 10 years for causing harm.

The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently, meaning each convict will serve a maximum prison term of 20 years.

The Tema Regional Police Command welcomed the convictions, describing them as an important outcome in efforts to combat human trafficking and crimes connected with cyber fraud.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to identifying and dismantling criminal networks involved in trafficking vulnerable persons and called on members of the public to report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

The case highlights the dangers associated with fraudulent overseas employment offers used by trafficking syndicates to recruit vulnerable job seekers before subjecting them to forced labour and other forms of exploitation.

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