The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has secured the conviction of a Nigerian national over human trafficking and immigration-related offences, leading to a seven-year prison sentence handed down by an Accra Circuit Court.
In a statement released on June 4, 2026, and signed by DSI Barbara Sam, the GIS disclosed that the conviction followed an intelligence-driven operation carried out by the Asankragwa Sector Command, which resulted in the rescue of two victims aged 21 and 13.
Victims Allegedly Deceived with Employment Promises
According to details presented before the court by Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI) John Bernard Otoo, the victims were reportedly recruited from Nigeria under the promise of securing jobs as shop attendants in Ghana.
However, investigations revealed that after arriving in Ghana, the victims were allegedly forced into prostitution, with earnings collected by the convicted suspect.
The GIS Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section stated that the victims were recruited through associates operating in Nigeria before being transported into Ghana. Authorities said the victims were later received by the convict, identified as Ada Peace, at a brothel located in Adaase near Asankragwa.
Investigators further alleged that the victims were subjected to threats rooted in spiritual manipulation and pressured into sex work to settle debts reportedly valued at six million Nigerian naira.
Illegal Entry and Court Proceedings
The prosecution informed the court that Ada Peace, alongside an accomplice identified as Rejoice Opara, allegedly entered Ghana through unauthorized border routes in July 2024 and remained in the country without valid immigration permits.
While Ada Peace faced multiple charges, including human trafficking and unlawful entry, Opara was reportedly fined before being discharged by the court.
Immigration Authorities Issue Warning
Reacting to the conviction, Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, strongly condemned human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and illegal migration.
He emphasized that individuals involved in such criminal activities would face thorough investigations and prosecution, adding that Ghanaian authorities remain committed to protecting vulnerable persons and enforcing immigration laws.
The GIS also advised the public to remain alert, warning that traffickers increasingly exploit platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, fake employment opportunities, and deceptive travel arrangements to target unsuspecting victims.
Officials said the conviction reflects ongoing efforts by the Service to tackle human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and other cross-border crimes across Ghana.
