Court jails two 18 years for human trafficking

The Achimota Circuit Court in Accra has sentenced two people to nine years in prison. They were convicted for trafficking two victims from Nigeria to Ghana.

Jessica Daniel, also known as Blessing, is a 24-year-old hairdresser. Kelvin Johnson, known as Alaska, is a 30-year-old Bitcoin trader. Both were found guilty at the end of their trial.

The convicts forced the victims into prostitution instead of providing jobs. The victims had to pay GH₵8,000 each for their freedom.

The court charged both individuals with conspiracy and human trafficking.

Judge Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong presided over the case on April 29, 2025. She deferred sentencing until April 30, pending Jessica's pregnancy test results.

When the test results came back negative, the judge read her judgment. She stated that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Three witnesses testified for the prosecution while one defense witness was called by the accused.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi led the prosecution. He explained that Chief Calistus Elozipuwa filed a complaint about this case. Elozipuwa is part of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Ghana.

On July 1, 2024, Elozipuwa rescued victims Gloria Vincent (20) and Gloria Igbetar (25). They were found engaging in prostitution and revealed they had been deceived by Jessica.

The victims said Jessica lured them from Nigeria under false job promises. Instead of jobs as domestic servants, they were forced into prostitution.

Johnson connected them with an agent in Nigeria and picked them up in Accra. He took them to an apartment where they worked as prostitutes for Jessica.

Jessica demanded GH₵8,000 from each victim for their freedom. The police later rearrested both Jessica and Johnson during investigations.

During questioning, both admitted to recruiting and transporting the victims for prostitution. Johnson collected money from their earnings and gave it to Jessica.

Investigations showed that Jessica hid behind Johnson during trafficking operations. She claimed she feared harm from the victims if they learned she was their mistress.

The prosecution confirmed that both victims paid GH₵8,000 each to gain their freedom. Both convicts admitted receiving this amount.