News
2 convicted for human trafficking
The Achimota Circuit Court has convicted two persons for trafficking two ladies from Nigeria to Ghana and compelling them to engage in prostitution.
Jessica Daniel, also known as Blessing, a 24-year-old hairdresser, and Kelvin Johnson, known as Alaska, a 30-year-old Bitcoin trader, were convicted after they were found guilty at the end of the trial.
The two were held on charges of conspiracy to commit crime and two counts of human trafficking.
The Court, presided over by Mrs Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, however, deferred their sentence, pending the outcome of a pregnancy test for Jessica, the first accused person.
Reading her Judgment on Tuesday, the trial Judge said the Prosecution had been able to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt after calling three witnesses while the accused persons also called a witness.
The Prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi, earlier told the court that the complainant was Chief Calistus Elozipuwa, a member of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), based in Ghana.
ASP Babayi said on July 1, 2024, the complainant rescued the victims, Gloria Vincent, alias Grace, 20 years, and Gloria Igbetar, alias Diamond, aged 25, who were engaging in prostitution.
When they were questioned, they told the complainant that they were deceived, lured and transported to Ghana from Nigeria by Jessica in January and February 2024, under the pretext of securing them jobs as domestic servants but ended up forcing them into prostitution.
According to the prosecution, the victims were linked to an agent in Nigeria by Johnson, who picked them at the lorry station in Accra and took them to an apartment where they stayed and worked as prostitutes for Jessica, who demanded they paid GH₵8,000.00 each to gain their freedom.
Prosecution told the court that Jessica and Johnson were subsequently arrested by the police.
During investigation, they admitted having recruited the victims from Nigeria to Ghana for prostitution, the proceeds of which were collected by Johnson and handed to Jessica for safekeeping.
Investigations further revealed that Jessica hid behind Johnson to traffic the ladies to Ghana with the excuse that she was afraid they might harm her, if they found out that she was their mistress.
The victims have been able to pay GH₵8,000.00 each to the convicts, which they (convicts) both admitted having received.
—GNA
The Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has met first term Members of Parliament to strengthen cooperation between his office and newly elected legislators.
The engagement was organised to help build better working relations and improve communication within the House.
Bagbin stressed the value of open interaction and mentioned that similar sessions will later involve continuing MPs, the media and the public through televised programmes.
He reiterated the 9th Parliament’s goal of promoting openness and inclusion, describing integrity, honesty, civility and participation as key values for national progress.
He encouraged the creation of a mentorship system to allow experienced members to guide new ones.
Bagbin reflected on the growth of Ghana’s legislature over the years, noting a shift from strong partisan conduct to a more mature multiparty atmosphere.
He urged MPs to maintain their party identity while working together for development.
Present at the meeting were the Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Deputy Majority Whip Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and the Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The attention of the Ministry of the Interior has been drawn to information that the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, has survived two assassination attempts while discharging his duties to the Republic.
According to the ministry in a statement, the Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Samuel Appiah Darko, mentioned the assassination attempt on Newsfile, a television station in Accra, on December 6, 2025.
He also claimed on the same programme that he had been handcuffed and beaten by 17 police personnel.
“Beyond the security implications of these claims, such dangers to personnel of accountability institutions, if true, can undermine the government’s efforts to combat corruption, which have intensified since it took office,” the ministry stated,
The Ministry has therefore taken up the matter with the seriousness it deserves with some preliminary findings on the alleged assassination attempt.
The ministry revealed that initial contacts with Mr. Kissi Agyebeng have revealed that the assassination attempts on him, as claimed, happened before this year.
“There is no record or report of such threats against his life at any police station or at any of the state security agencies in the country,” the statement further added.
Against this backdrop, the Minister of Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has further directed that “Since crime does not expire, the Ministry has ordered a full-scale investigation into the claim of assassination attempts.”
The Ministry has also ordered an investigation into the claim by Mr. Samuel Appiah Darko that he was handcuffed and beaten by 17 police personnel.
The Ministry noted that it will update the public on the outcome of these investigations and the actions to be taken.
The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its commitment to protecting all lives and properties to ensure that all Ghanaians can conduct their lawful affairs without any fear for their safety.
