Two Nigerian nationals have been remanded into police custody by the Accra Circuit Court 5, for their alleged involvement in a human trafficking syndicate operating in Ghana.
The accused persons, identified as Chidemma Nweke, also known as Mama, 24 and Mery Francis, also known as Gina or Blessing, 27, were arrested at Wassa Akropong in the Western North Region, following a police operation by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
According to police reports, the case was brought to light after Chief Calistus Eloziepuwa, President of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation in Ghana, accompanied a young victim, to report the matter to the authorities on April 7, 2025.
The victim had managed to escape with the help of a Good Samaritan and made her way to Accra from Wassa Akropong.
During an interview with the police, the victim revealed that several other victims were still being held in bondage at Asuogya Krobo, a community near Wassa Akropong.
Acting on the information, police launched a rescue and arrest operation on April 10, 2025 which led to the rescue of six additional victims and the arrest of the two accused.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Nweke (A1) lured the victim from Nigeria, under the pretence of offering her a job at a boutique in Ghana.
However, upon arrival, the victim was housed in a brothel and forced into prostitution, with Nweke allegedly collecting all proceeds.
Further developments indicated that Francis (A2), who managed the brothel and a nearby drinking spot, named Royal City Pub, encouraged Nweke to sell the victim.
She then facilitated the sale of the victim to two other individuals for GH¢5,000. Francis allegedly received GH¢500 as her share, which she used to renovate her pub.
Investigators also discovered that Francis had traveled to Nigeria to recruit more young women, under false promises of employment, only to subject them to the same exploitation. Two additional victims were among those rescued during the operation.
Presiding judge, Her Honour Christiana Cann, remanded both accused into police custody. They are expected to reappear in court on April 29, 2025 as investigations continue to apprehend the remaining accomplices.
