- Nicky Isabella, a 22-year-old hairdresser, sentenced to 5 years in prison for trafficking two Nigerian women
- Isabella promised the victims jobs in Ghana but forced them into prostitution upon arrival
- Victims were threatened with ritual harm and had their earnings seized
The Achimota Circuit Court has sentenced Nicky Isabella, a 22-year-old hairdresser, to five years in prison for trafficking two Nigerian women into prostitution.
Isabella deceived the victims, promising them jobs in Ghana, but upon their arrival, she forced them into prostitution. The victims, aged 22 and 23, were initially promised supermarket jobs in Adjiringanor, Accra. However, upon arrival, Isabella took control of their earnings and coerced them into swearing an oath on a Bible, threatening them with ritualistic harm involving their pubic hair if they disobeyed.
During the trial, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi, representing the prosecution, emphasized the premeditated nature of Isabella’s actions and urged the court to impose a harsh sentence. Despite Isabella being a first-time offender and relatively young, the judge pointed out her lack of remorse and the serious nature of her crime. Isabella broke down in tears when the sentence was handed down, while the victims have been rescued and are now receiving psychosocial support.
Isabella’s accomplice, Nelly, is still at large, and the police are actively seeking her. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service continues to investigate the case. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) William Ayariga, Director of the Unit, reaffirmed their commitment to apprehending traffickers, declaring, “Ghana is not a safe haven for human traffickers, and justice will prevail.”
Court documents revealed that Isabella admitted to exploiting the victims, seizing their earnings, and using intimidation tactics, including maintaining a notebook with records of proceeds and human hair.
