Accra: The Achimota Circuit Court has sentenced two individuals to nine years imprisonment each for trafficking two victims from Nigeria to Ghana. Jessica Daniel, also known as Blessing, a 24-year-old hairdresser, and Kelvin Johnson, also known as Alaska, a 30-year-old Bitcoin trader, were found guilty at the conclusion of their trial.

According to Ghana News Agency, the convicts compelled the victims to engage in prostitution instead of securing the promised jobs. The victims were required to pay GHC8,000 each to gain freedom from the convicts. Jessica and Kelvin were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and two counts of human trafficking.

The Court, presided over by Mrs. Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, deferred their sentencing from April 29, 2025, to April 30, 2025, pending a pregnancy test result for Jessica, the first accused. The result was negative. The trial judge noted that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt by calling three witnesses, while the accused called one defense witness.

Prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi, stated that the complainant, Chief Calistus Elozipuwa, a member of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Ghana, rescued the victims-Gloria Vincent alias Grace, aged 20, and Gloria Igbetar alias Diamond, aged 25-on July 1, 2024. The victims had been engaging in prostitution.

When questioned, the victims revealed they were deceived, lured, and transported to Ghana by Jessica in January and February 2024 under the pretense of securing jobs as domestic servants. Instead, they were forced into prostitution. The victims were linked to an agent in Nigeria by Johnson, who picked them up at the Accra lorry station and took them to an apartment where they were made to work as prostitutes for Jessica.

Jessica and Johnson were rearrested by the police. During the investigation, both admitted to recruiting and transporting the victims for prostitution, with proceeds collected by Johnson and handed over to Jessica. Investigations revealed that Jessica used Johnson as a front to traffic the women due to fear of potential harm if they discovered her role as their mistress.

The prosecution confirmed that the victims managed to pay the demanded GHC8,000 each to the convicts, which both Jessica and Johnson admitted receiving.