Foreign Nationals Remanded for Human Trafficking Offenses 

Two foreign individuals accused of luring young women from Nigeria to Ho under the false pretense of securing employment at a boutique in Ghana but subsequently forcing them into prostitution, have been returned to police custody after failing to meet the bail conditions of GH¢ 50,000 with two sureties.

The accused, Zeinab Musah, 23, known as Berry, and Halima Abdulai, 23, known as Treasure, faced charges of human trafficking during their second appearance at the Ho Circuit Court yesterday.

According to Senior State Attorney Andrews Dodzi Adugu, representing the state, the victims were instructed by the accused not to wear undergarments upon their arrival in Ho. The accused individuals then arranged for men to engage in sexual acts with them at a hotel.

Furthermore, the prosecution revealed that the victims were taken to a popular nightclub in Ho, where they were offered to men for sex, and the accused would seize their earnings.

In an attempt to prevent the victims from returning to Nigeria, the accused locked them inside a room.

In a distressing turn of events, one of the victims was coerced into asking her mother to send 1.2 million Naira to secure her freedom.

Additionally, the accused confiscated the victims’ phones and underwear, threatening to use the items to manipulate them if they attempted to escape.

However, on May 12, both victims managed to flee the house in Ho-Dave and sought refuge with a tricycle taxi operator, who kindly offered them a place to stay overnight. The following day, the victims reported the incident to the Ho Central Police Station, which promptly notified the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.

Following their arrests on the same day, the accused individuals provided caution statements acknowledging that the victims were fully aware they would be engaged in prostitution in Ho and had not been promised any employment at a boutique.

While each accused person was granted bail in the amount of GH¢ 50,000 with two sureties, they were unable to fulfill the bail requirements and were subsequently returned to police custody. The hearing is scheduled to continue on June 14.