The Tema Regional Police Command has secured a 20-year prison sentence for two men convicted of trafficking Nigerian nationals into Ghana under the false promise of employment before forcing them into cybercrime.

Kingsley Ndifon, 29, and Emmanuel Akong, 25, were convicted of human trafficking and causing harm following a trial at Circuit Court 'B' in Tema.

According to the Police, the two men were arrested on 20 August 2023 at Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema, after the Afienya District Police Command received a distress call that several people were being held in a house against their will.

A police patrol team, assisted by residents, stormed the house and rescued 11 Nigerian nationals who had been confined there. The officers also arrested the two suspects at the scene.

During a search of the premises, the Police recovered 16 laptops and an iPad from rooms occupied by the suspects.

Investigations revealed that the victims had been recruited from Nigeria with promises of employment in Ghana.

However, upon arriving in the country, they were allegedly forced to engage in cyber-related criminal activities while being held captive in the house at Sebrepor.

Police said the suspects confiscated the victims' mobile phones and identification cards before compelling them to carry out internet fraud using laptops provided to them.

The investigation further uncovered disturbing details about the victims' treatment.

According to the Police, the victims were fed only once a day and were subjected to severe physical abuse whenever they failed to follow instructions.

"They were allegedly beaten with laptop cables and machetes, resulting in injuries, including cutlass wounds," the Police said in a statement.

Investigators also found that the victims were malnourished and in poor health at the time they were rescued.

The two accused persons were subsequently arraigned before Circuit Court 'B' in Tema, presided over by Her Honour Naomi Adusei Amamiampong Kucour.

They faced charges of conspiracy to commit crime, namely human trafficking, human trafficking, and causing harm.

At the end of the trial, the court found Kingsley Ndifon and Emmanuel Akong guilty of human trafficking and causing harm.

The court sentenced each of them to 20 years' imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years' imprisonment for causing harm. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning each convict will serve 20 years in prison.

Commenting on the case, the Tema Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling human trafficking and related crimes.

"The Tema Regional Police Command remains committed to combating human trafficking, cyber-related crimes and all forms of abuse," the Police said.

The Command also urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of human trafficking and other criminal activities to the Police.