Ashaiman Circuit Court remands five persons for human trafficking

Five persons are currently facing the wrath of the law in remands following being found guilty of the offence of child trafficking by the Ashaiman Circuit Court.

The court presided over by His Honour Simon Gaga has remanded the five suspects in police custody after being found guilty. Charged on two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime namely human trafficking contrary to section 23(2) of the criminal offences Act 1960(Act 29) and section 2(1) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005(Act 694) and on count 2:human trafficking contrary to section 2(1) of the human trafficking act, 2005(Act 694). The suspects, Abraham Otoo(fisherman), Daniel Odartey Lamptey(fisherman), Joseph Pkoe Abbey(fisherman), Abraham Ashie(fisherman) and Francis Manya(driver) were charged with the offence. However, A5 who is a taxi driver explained that he plies his trade as a taxi driver from Fishing Harbour to Chorkor transporting fish. He said on his way to the Fishing Harbour, A1(Abraham Otoo) stopped him for dropping at Fishing Habour which he obliged. He said that he opened his car boot upon the request of A1. On the way to Fishing Harbour, we were stopped by the police and arrested. But the judge noted that the explanation of A1 amounts to a defence and therefore entering a plea of not guilty on count 2. In view of the severity of the offence, the Judge said it will not be prudent to grant bail. A1, A2, A3, and A4 were remanded into Police Custody. The case was adjourned to February 28, 2023, for mention. Prosecution: Presenting the brief fact of the case, Chief Inspector Nunoo Mensah told the court that the complainant, Bright Ahiabu is a police officer stationed at the Marine, Ports, and Railways Department, Tema. The accused persons, A1 Abraham Otoo, A2 Daniel Odartey Lamptey, A3 Joseph Okoe, and A4 Abraham Ashie, all of which were fishermen and reside at Chorkor whilst A5 Francis Manya is a Driver and resides at Tema New-Town. On the 15th day of February 2023, the police officer was on duty at the Tema Fishing Harbour and a taxi cab with registration number GR 841-13 was driven by A5 on board with A1, A2, A3, and A4. The police officer became suspicious and intercepted the vehicle. The prosecution told the court that a search was conducted and revealed the five victims, namely Raphael Martey age 15, Michael Otoo age 12, Gideon Otoo age 9, Eliot Otoo age 9, and David Otoo age 17, hiding in the boot of the taxi cab. The prosecution told the court that investigations conducted indicated that the accused persons agreed to act together to recruit and transport the victims from Chorkor to Tema New Town to be exploited for fishing on the sea knowing very well that the victims were underage to engage in such activities. The prosecution told the court that, in their caution statements, the accused persons admitted the offences and stated that the victims refused to attend school, which is why they decided to exploit them for fishing. The victims have been rescued and handed to the Department of Social Welfare to provide them with shelter. After investigations, the accused persons were charged with the offences as indicated on the charge sheet.