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
Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has confirmed that former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, is in prison and serving her jail term.
Speaking in an interview on Joy news, Mr. Muntaka dismissed claims that the former MASLOC boss was being held in a private location.
He said she has been in the custody of the state since she returned to Ghana.
“From the day Sedina came, she has been with us, and she’s serving her time,” he said.
The minister explained that the public is not usually told the specific prison where inmates, especially high-profile persons, are being held for security reasons.
He said even judges who sentence offenders do not necessarily know the specific prison where they are sent.
“If you want to visit her, you can write to the Prisons Service. They will talk to her, and if she is interested in you coming, she will let you come,” Mr. Muntaka stated.
According to him, disclosing the location of high-profile inmates could put their lives at risk, adding that some developed countries also keep such information confidential for security purposes.
His comments come amid public speculation over the whereabouts of Ms. Tamakloe Attionu following reports that she had returned to Ghana to begin serving her prison sentence.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO I Cecil Addo, has completed a familiarization tour of major corporate and industrial institutions across the Western Region to strengthen partnerships and enhance fire safety preparedness.
The tour covered key organizations including the Bank of Ghana, GOIL PLC, Ghanstock, Western Terminals, Zen Terminal, Keda Ceramics, Takoradi International Company (TICO), Volta River Authority (VRA), Harlequin Oil and Gas, and Western Serene Atlantic Hotel.
During the engagements, the Regional Commander encouraged management of the institutions to prioritize proactive fire prevention measures by incorporating strict safety protocols into their daily operations.
Discussions also focused on improving fire readiness and strengthening collaboration between GNFS and the corporate sector.
As part of the initiative, GNFS presented firefighting equipment, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguishers, as well as Fire Extinguishing Balls, to support workplace safety.
The institutions expressed appreciation for the outreach and pledged to support regular safety audits, joint emergency drills, and potential Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships with the Service.
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