A 24-year-old Nigerian woman, Mariam Yussif, has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour after being convicted of human trafficking by the Gender-Based Violence Court in Tamale.
The Northern Regional Police Command said Yussif was convicted on 22 October 2026, following investigations into the alleged recruitment and transportation of victims from Nigeria to Ghana for sexual exploitation.
Yussif and her 22-year-old sister, Precious Clement, were arrested in Yendi on 17 August 2026, over their alleged involvement in the operation.
Yussif was charged under Section 2(1) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), and arraigned on 19 August. She pleaded not guilty and was remanded into custody as the case proceeded.
Following several adjournments, the court concluded the trial and found her guilty, imposing the seven-year custodial sentence.
She has since been transferred to Tamale Central Prison to begin serving her sentence.
The police said Clement was released after investigations failed to establish a case against her.
The two victims linked to the case have also been repatriated to Nigeria and reunited with their respective families.
In a statement, the Northern Regional Police Command said the conviction highlighted the importance of intelligence-led operations, thorough investigations and effective prosecution in the fight against human trafficking.
It urged the public to report suspected trafficking cases to the appropriate authorities, reiterating its commitment to protecting vulnerable people and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons for exploitation through prohibited means. Such exploitation may include sexual abuse and other forms of coercion.
The police encouraged the public to remain vigilant and share information that could help law enforcement agencies identify suspected trafficking activities and protect potential victims.
