‘ECOWAS Sex Workers’ Sentenced

Twenty-four out of the 31 ECOWAS nationals who were arrested recently by the Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for their alleged involvement in prostitution and other immigration related offences, have been convicted and sentenced by a Sekondi District Court ‘B’.

This was after investigations were concluded on 24 of the suspects; they were charged with illegal entry and illegal stay contrary to Section 20(1) and 52(1)(D) of the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573).

The suspects pleaded guilty to the charges, and the court presided over by Araba Nunoo, sentenced them on their own pleas. Each of the suspects was sentenced to a fine of GH¢1,000.00 and in default serve six months prison term.

Eight of the convicts managed to pay their fines, giving way to administrative processes leading to their deportation back to their home country.

The other 16 convicted prostitutes have since been taken into custody by the Sekondi Central Prison to begin their sentence.

Meanwhile, the Service is in the process of repatriating two of the suspects, who were identified during the investigations as having been trafficked, back to their home country to be united with their families.

Also, the two nursing mothers, together with suspects, Mr. and Mrs. Okereke, all Nigerians and a Ghanaian, Mr. Kofi Bekoe have been granted police enquiry bail to enable the Service to finish its investigations on them.

The prosecution team, led by the Western Regional Legal Officer for the GIS, Chief Superintendent Samuel Bilson, managed to secure Deportation Order for all the twenty-four suspects.

Asst. Insp. Moses Manford Akakpo, Western Regional Public Affairs Officer of the GIS noted that the suspects were put before court on Friday, October 20, 2023.

He commended all stakeholders, particularly, those who continue to volunteer credible information leading to the arrests and successful prosecution of the suspects.

“The Command will continue to admonish all to bear in mind that security is, and will always be a shared responsibility,” he pointed out.