The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a Nigerian sex worker to 20 years imprisonment for trafficking four victims to Ghana under the pretext of securing them jobs.
Patience Gideon aka Gold is said to have compelled the victims to engage in prostitution after transporting them from Nigeria to Mosease, near Asankragua in the Western Region of Ghana.
Police say one of the victims was diagnosed HIV positive after engaging in the sex trade. Despite her condition, Patience took her to another town where she continued with the prostitution and collected money acquired through the sex trade.
Patience is said to have conducted illegal abortion on one of the victims who was also pregnant.
The court presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, sentenced Patience after pleading guilty to four charges preferred against her.
On the charge of human trafficking, Patience was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment while on the charge of illegal abortion, she would serve five years.
On the charges of assault and engaging in prostitution, the court ordered her to serve two years and two months respectively.
Sentences are to run concurrently.
The court further ordered the victims Jennifer Terewuba, 20, Abigail Timothy, 21, Happiness Kowuka, 27, and Rejoice Isaac,30, to be taken back to Police Headquarters, Anti Human Trafficking Unit in order that they might aid in the relocation of the victims back to Nigeria.
Prosecuting Detective Chief Superintendent of Police Adams Mumuni led by ASP, Samuel Ahiabor said the victims Jennifer Terewuba, Abigail Timothy, Happiness Kowuka and Rejoice Isaac are Nigerians and apprentices in hairdressing.
Prosecution said the accused Patience Gideon alias Gold, age 32 yrs, is also Nigerian and engaged in commercial sex work at Moseaso near Asankrangua, her place of abode.
On March 22, 2025 and March 27, 2025 respectively the victims were trafficked from Benue State, Nigeria to Ghana by Patience under the pretext of securing them work as bar attendants in her drinking spot at Asankragua-Moseaso but on their arrival she forced them to do prostitution.
The court heard that the victims refused to work and the accused, now convict, forcibly and under duress shaved their pubic hair, removed their fingernails and made them swear that if they failed to work as commercial sex workers to enable her to get her money she spent on them, they will go mad.
Prosecution said out of fear, the victims engaged in prostitution and the proceeds were collected by Patience.
According to the Prosecution, Abigail Timothy informed the accused that she was pregnant before coming to Ghana.
On March 28, 2025, Patience administered herbal concoction to the victim and illegally terminated the pregnancy.
On April 12, 2025, one of the victims suddenly fell ill and attended Hospital. She was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and the Accused, knowing her medical status and knew she would not be patronised at Asankra Moseaso when the news broke out, moved her to a different location to continue with the prostitution work.
Prosecution said Patience collected the proceeds collected by the accused.
On April 28, 2025 the accused went to the new location to collect proceeds from the victim, and she gave her Cash GhC300.
The prosecution said Patience got offended that the money was not enough and she subjected her to severe beatings.
According to the prosecution, the victim sustained a cut on her face. The Accused thereafter seized the victim’s HIV/AIDS drugs, supplied her at the hospital, and left.
Prosecution said the victim who was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS informed her other colleague about what had happened, and they all went to the Asankrangwa Police Station and reported their ordeal.
Prosecution said one of the victims (name withheld) was taken to the hospital and it was confirmed by the Medical Officer that she is HIV/AIDS positive and she was given drugs.
The accused was subsequently arrested and cautioned, and she admitted the offences in her (Investigation Caution Statements) before an independent witness. On May 5, 2025, the medical report of the victim whose name was withheld was received and Patience was subsequently charged and put before the Court.
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