Businessman Jailed 5 Years for Human Trafficking, Illegal Entry – A Nigerian businessman, Muftau Kimbele Yusif, has been sentenced to five years in jail for his involvement in human trafficking and illegal entry. The verdict was delivered by the Sogakope Circuit Court in Ghana after Yusif pleaded guilty to the charges.
Yusif was initially apprehended by the Sogakope Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service at the Sogakope Immigration checkpoint. He was caught acting as an intermediary in the trafficking of four victims, aged 18, 19, 21, and 26 years. He had also attempted to facilitate their travel from Togo to Cote D’Ivoire.
Court Proceeding
During the court proceedings, Yusif admitted that he had received a call from a friend named Baba Fita in Nigeria. Baba Fita had requested him to assist the four victims in their journey. He claimed that he had been handed N140,000 by Baba Fita for transporting the victims from Togo to Ivory Coast.
According to the prosecution, Yusif boarded a VIP bus destined for Ivory Coast with the victims. However, their plans were thwarted when they reached the Sogakope Immigration checkpoint, where Yusif was arrested.
The court’s judgment came after Yusif was charged with four counts related to human trafficking and illegal entry. Prosecutors, led by Superintendent of Immigration John Bernard Otoo and Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Yussif Misbwu, also detailed Yusif’s involvement in the case.
The prosecution revealed that Yusif was intending to hand over the victims to an individual named Queen. They later added that Queen lives in Buafle, Ivory Coast. The investigation also uncovered that Yusif had entered Ghana without a valid passport or any other travel documents.
The Verdict
The verdict underscores the serious consequences of human trafficking and illegal entry. These are criminal offenses in many countries, including Ghana. The case sheds light on the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat these illegal activities that exploit vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities.
As countries in the region continue to strengthen their efforts to prevent human trafficking and illegal migration, cases like Yusif’s serve as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation and stringent law enforcement measures to ensure the safety and security of all individuals within their borders.
