Ghana-based Nigerian woman jailed 29 years for human trafficking, forced prostitution, and illegal abortions

A 32-year-old Nigerian woman, Patience Gideon Gold, has been sentenced to 29 years in prison. She was convicted of multiple crimes, including human trafficking and forced prostitution.

Court records show that she trafficked victims from Benue State, Nigeria. This occurred on March 22 and 27, 2025. She promised them decent jobs in Ghana.

Upon arrival, the victims were forced into prostitution. They initially resisted but faced severe punishment. Patience shaved their pubic hair and removed their fingernails as torture.

She made them swear an oath to comply or face madness. Out of fear, the victims began working as sex workers. Patience controlled all operations and kept their earnings.

One victim, Abigail Timothy, was pregnant before being trafficked. On March 28, 2025, Patience gave her a herbal concoction to terminate the pregnancy illegally.

Another victim, Happiness Kowuka, fell ill on March 12, 2025. She was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS but continued working under Patience's control. When Happiness confronted her about low pay, she was brutally assaulted.

Happiness reported the abuse to the Asankrangwa Police Station with other victims' support. Following investigations, Patience Gold was arrested and confessed to her crimes.

The court sentenced her as follows:
- 20 years for human trafficking under the Human Trafficking Act.
- 5 years for illegal abortion under the Criminal Offences Act.
- 2 years for assault under the Criminal Offences Act.
- 2 years for prostitution-related offences under the Criminal Offences Act.

The court also ordered that five victims be transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service for safe repatriation to Nigeria.