Three trafficked Nigerian women have been rescued in Ghana, after been forced to take oath at a shrine and pushed into prostitution.

They were recruited by their fellow Nigerian, Joyce Samuel Chidema, under the disguise to secure them jobs in Ghana.

Meanwhile, after successfully facilitating their voyage to the country they hope to seek greener pastures, Chidema now review the nature of the job they will be engaged in.

However, Chidema allegedly told the trafficked victims that they can only free themselves from her spell if they work to pay her an amount of GH¢700,000.00 to GH¢1 million.

Fortunately, Chidema scheme was uncovered by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and she is now in the grips of the law, facing 11 criminal charges.

She has pleaded not guilty to the counts – human trafficking, trade in prostitution, prohibition and procuration contrary to section 107 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 20), failure to appear before an immigration officer on entering into Ghana and entering into Ghana through illegal places of entry.

She has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000.00 with three sureties, one to be justified by a Ghanaian and two ECOWAS citizens.

The trial court presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, a relieving judge, has adjourned the case for two weeks for continuation.

The case is being prosecuted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

According to the facts of the case, on October 17, 2022, the Human Human Trafficking Unit of the Economic and Organised Crime Office received intelligence that three Nigerian women had been trafficked to Ghana by another Nigerian woman.

It was established during investigation that it was Chidema who had trafficked these three women.
Thus, Chidema has located to Ghana since January 2021 and was working as a prostitute as well as clothes dealer. 

According to EOCO, she trafficked the women into Ghana to exploit their vulnerability of being unemployed. Therefore, she facilitated their travel expenses to Ghana as well as housing them.

She also took them to a Shrine, where they were made to swear loyalty to her before inducing them into prostitution.

The victims were compelled by Chidema to make daily sales of GH¢80.00 to GH¢120.00, as proceeds of their prostitution.

It was narrated to the court that Chidema told the three women that the only way to gain their freedom from her, was to work and pay her between GH¢700,000.0 and GH¢1,000,000.00.

It was based on these findings that Chidema was arrested and brought before the court.

The court was, however, informed that the victims have been rescued and freed.