The Ofankor Circuit Court has granted bail to Emeka, also known by the alias “Pussy Mama,” with a bail amount set at GH¢200,000.
Presiding Judge Isaac Oheneba Kuffour approved the bail on the condition that Emeka provide three Ghanaian sureties, with at least one able to justify the bail amount.
Emeka, a 38-year-old Nigerian national, faces charges of conspiracy and human trafficking, accused of exploiting a 15-year-old girl named Faith Ugochuku, whom he allegedly trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana for forced labour.
Prosecutors allege that Emeka has trafficked over 3,000 young boys and girls from Nigeria to countries including Ghana and Mali for prostitution.
His charges, filed at the Kasoa Ofaakor Circuit Court, include “Conspiracy to Commit Crime: Human Trafficking” under Section 23(1) and 2(2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 29/60, and Ghana’s Human Trafficking Act of 2005, Act 694.
The victim, Faith Ugochuku, is currently under the protection of Ghana’s Social Welfare Department. Her counsel, Mr. Tosin Ojaomo, a lawyer with the International Human Rights Observatory (IHRO) Africa, revealed that Faith was allegedly lured from Nigeria under the false pretense of employment as a housemaid.
Promised a monthly salary of 30,000 Naira (approximately 300 Ghana Cedis) with a 10,000 Naira deduction for education, Faith reportedly discovered upon arrival that she was being trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.
Ojaomo also disclosed that Emeka is wanted by Nigerian police on similar charges and is likely to face further prosecution in Nigeria upon the conclusion of his case in Ghana.
The court has set the next hearing for December 11, 2024, as investigations continue in this cross-border trafficking case.
Brief Fact
The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Akpaloo, disclosed to the court that the complainant Dominic Antwi aged 55 is an Environmental worker residing at Forest Gate, Buduburam.
The victim Faith Ugochuku aged 15, was brought from Nigeria for prostitution by the accused person, Treasure Chibuike aged 30. On 20/05/2024 about 4:00pm, whiles
complainant was going around on his usual errands with his colleague Martin Kwesi Akpoto at GPRTU Last Stop, Buduburam, they saw the victim, being dragged by a lady popularly known as Pussy-Mama to forcibly sit on a motorbike but she ordered the motorbike rider to move on seeing complainant and his colleague coming to the rescue of the victim.
Investigations later led to the arrest of the accused person who admitted to bringing the victim to Ghana for prostitution and later transferred her through Suspect Prince David who is at large to suspect Pussy-Mama, who is standing trial.
The accused was cautioned to that effect and after investigation she was charged with the offence as stated on the charge sheet and put before this Honourable Court.
