Odumase, Eastern Region – Baba Issa Zakaria, a 25-year-old Okada rider from Agomanya, has been sentenced to ten years in prison by the Odumase Circuit Court for trafficking young Nigerian women into Ghana for the purpose of prostitution. The court's decision underscores the severity of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, sending a strong message against such crimes.

Judge Kwesi Appiatse Abaidoo presided over the case, where Zakaria pleaded guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to commit crime, abetment of harm, sex extortion (sextortion), trading in prostitution, and exploiting trafficked persons. The case was brought to light following a report by Desmond Agmortey, who was assaulted by Zakaria and his associates.

According to prosecutors ASP Augustine K. Asante Kusi and Chief Inspector John Kwasi Brahene, Zakaria operated as a hookup agent, luring young Nigerian women into Ghana with the false promise of better opportunities. Upon their arrival, he forced them into prostitution, demanding a weekly fee of GHC 150 from each woman.

The incident leading to Zakaria’s arrest occurred on April 6, 2025, when a dispute arose between Agmortey and Ella Elizabeth, a 26-year-old Nigerian woman involved in the trafficking operation, over a paid sexual encounter. Zakaria intervened, leading a gang that assaulted Agmortey, inflicting machete wounds, stripping him naked, and recording the attack. The assailants then demanded GHC 1,200 as ransom, threatening to release the video unless paid. Agmortey’s brother reported the incident to the police, resulting in the arrest of Zakaria and Ella Elizabeth.

Zakaria admitted to three charges: sextortion, trading in prostitution, and exploiting trafficked persons. He received a ten-year sentence for sextortion, five years for human trafficking, and a GHC 2,400 fine for prostitution-related offenses, all to be served concurrently. Ella Elizabeth was fined GHC 2,400 or a one-year prison term for prostitution.

The court emphasized the premeditated and exploitative nature of Zakaria's crimes, highlighting the broader societal dangers of human trafficking. Investigations revealed that Zakaria had been orchestrating the scheme since 2024, operating online platforms to solicit clients while housing multiple trafficked women in Agomanya.

Further charges against Zakaria remain pending before the court.