A Circuit Court in Tema, Ghana, has sentenced two Nigerian nationals, Kingsley Ndifon, 29, and Emmanuel Akong, 25, to 20 years in prison each for human trafficking and causing harm after they were found guilty of exploiting fellow Nigerians in a cybercrime operation.

The judgment, delivered by Circuit Court ‘B’ in Tema, followed a trial over allegations that the two men lured Nigerian nationals to Ghana with promises of employment before allegedly forcing them to engage in internet fraud.

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According to the Ghana Police Service, the suspects were arrested on August 20, 2023, at Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema, after authorities received a distress call that several people were being held against their will.

A police team, supported by local residents, reportedly stormed the location and rescued 11 Nigerian victims who had been confined inside the property.

During the operation, officers recovered 16 laptops and an iPad, which investigators said were being used in connection with the alleged cybercrime activities.

Police investigations revealed that the victims had travelled to Ghana after being promised job opportunities but were allegedly forced into online fraud after arrival.

The authorities said the suspects confiscated the victims’ mobile phones and identity documents, restricting their movement and compelling them to use laptops provided by the accused persons.

The victims were also allegedly subjected to harsh treatment, including physical abuse, whenever they failed to meet the demands placed on them.

The Ghana Police Service said the victims were poorly fed and found in weak physical condition when they were rescued.

“They were allegedly beaten with laptop cables and machetes, resulting in injuries, including cutlass wounds,” the police stated.

Following the investigation, Ndifon and Akong were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, human trafficking and causing harm before the Tema court.

At the end of the proceedings, the court convicted both men on charges of human trafficking and causing harm.

Each suspect received a 20-year sentence for human trafficking and an additional 10 years for causing harm. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning both men will serve 20 years in prison.

The ruling marks a significant development in efforts to tackle cross-border trafficking and cyber-enabled crimes involving vulnerable individuals.

Reacting to the verdict, the Tema Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to fighting human trafficking, cybercrime and other forms of exploitation.

“The Tema Regional Police Command remains committed to combating human trafficking, cyber-related crimes and all forms of abuse,” the command said.

The police also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious recruitment activities and suspected cases of trafficking to the appropriate authorities.

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The case highlights continued concerns over fraudulent overseas employment schemes, where victims are often targeted with promises of jobs but later exposed to exploitation and criminal activities.