The Circuit Court in Achimota, presided over by Her Honour Mrs. Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, has sentenced Favour Ugwe, also known as Loveth Nnenna Igwe, to eight years in prison for human trafficking.
The 28-year-old Nigerian will serve her sentence with hard labour and is required to pay GH¢5,000 in compensation to the victim, who is from Chad.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that in October 2023, at Olonka, Madina Redco Flats, Ugwe recruited and transported the 19-year-old victim from Nigeria to Ghana under the false pretence of securing her a job in a restaurant. Instead, she was forced into prostitution.
The victim was rescued by the Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with Our Rescue Ghana, following a tip-off.
Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi urged the court to consider the widespread nature of human trafficking, which he described as a global issue. He requested a severe sentence to deter both the convict and others from engaging in similar activities.
Case Background
The case began when Ibrahim Yahaya, an electrical engineer residing in Madina, reported to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at CID Headquarters on November 11, 2023.
He had met the victim, who was stranded in Madina, and learned that she had been trafficked by Ugwe under the pretence of restaurant work.
On November 21, 2023, Ibrahim, accompanied by a team from the Unit, located the accused at Olonka, in an area known for housing suspected sex workers behind the Madina Redco Flats.
The victim identified Ugwe as her trafficker, leading to her arrest.
During the investigation, Ugwe admitted to recruiting the victim from Abuja, Nigeria, with assistance from another Nigerian named King, and confirmed that she paid for the victim’s transportation to Ghana.
The investigation revealed that Ugwe had received the victim at Circle, Accra, and taken her to her residence in Olonka, where she provided the victim with clothing, condoms, and lubricant for sexual acts in exchange for money, which Ugwe admitted to collecting and recording.
