A 28-year-old Nigerian female commercial sex worker, identified as Favour Ugwe has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for human trafficking in Ghana.
The court found her guilty of recruiting and forcing a 19-year-old woman from Chad into prostitution in Ghana.
Ugwe, the convict, was also ordered to pay GH$5,000 as compensation to the victim, while her sentence is to include hard labour.
Furthermore, the convict had admitted to recruiting the victim from Abuja, Nigeria, with the assistance of another Nigerian man, and paying for her transportation to Ghana.
However, she pleaded not guilty to the charge of human trafficking while the case went through a full trial, with the prosecution calling two witnesses.
Ugwe then provided the victim with dresses, condoms, and lubricants for sexual intercourse with men for a fee.
Her Honour Mrs. Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, who presided over the case, said she considered Ugwe’s lack of remorse during the trial and the prevalence of human trafficking in the country before passing her sentence.
The court also said it took into consideration the fact that the convict is a first-time offender, her age, and the number of months spent in custody.
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The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi, urged the court to impose a hefty punishment to serve as a deterrent to others.
In addition, he asked the court to consider the prevalent nature of human trafficking in the country, which has become a global problem.
ASP Babayi further urged the court to impose an enhanced punishment, which would serve as a deterrent to both the convict and others who may have intentions of committing human trafficking.
The prosecutor also drew the court’s attention to the premeditation with which she committed the offense.
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Moments after the eight-year custodial sentence was imposed, the convict, who is also known as Loveth Nnenna Igwe and had no legal representation, broke down in tears.
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