GIS Secures 7-Year Jail Term for Nigerian Trader Convicted of Human Trafficking

The Ghana Immigration Service has secured a seven-year prison sentence for Nigerian trader Ada Peace after an Accra Circuit Court convicted her on charges of human trafficking and immigration violations.

The conviction followed an intelligence-led operation by the GIS Asankragwa Sector Command that rescued two victims, aged 21 and 13, from sexual exploitation.

Presenting the case, prosecutor, Chief Superintendent of Immigration John Bernard Otoo, told the court the victims were recruited in Nigeria with false promises of shop attendant jobs in Ghana.

Instead, GIS investigations found they were forced into prostitution at a brothel in Adaase, near Asankragwa, with proceeds taken by the convict.

The GIS Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Section established that accomplices in Nigeria helped recruit and transport the girls into Ghana.

The victims were then subjected to spiritual intimidation and coerced into commercial sex work to “repay” debts of six million Nigerian Naira.

The court heard that Ada Peace and accomplice Rejoice Opara entered Ghana illegally through unapproved border routes in July 2024 and lived in the country without residence permits.

Peace faced four charges, including human trafficking and illegal entry, and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, while Opara was fined and discharged by the court.

The GIS said the operation reflects its commitment to tackling cross-border trafficking and protecting vulnerable migrants from exploitation.

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