Mariam Yussif jailed seven years for human trafficking in Tamale

A Gender-Based Violence Court in Tamale has sentenced Mariam Yussif, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, to seven years in prison with hard labour. The court found Yussif guilty of human trafficking after a trial that detailed her involvement in a cross-border scheme to exploit vulnerable individuals. The conviction concludes a legal process that began following her arrest in the Northern Region after authorities uncovered her operation.

The prosecution's case established that Yussif was part of a criminal operation that recruited and transported victims from Nigeria to Ghana. These individuals were brought across the border under false pretences for the primary purpose of sexual exploitation. Yussif was apprehended by authorities in Yendi on August 17, 2026, alongside her sister, Precious Clement. Although Yussif entered a plea of not guilty to the charges brought under the Human Trafficking Act, the court found the evidence against her sufficient for a conviction after several appearances.

Following the investigation led by the Northern Regional Police Command, the victims involved in the case have been safely repatriated to Nigeria. The police administration has used the outcome of this case to reiterate the importance of public vigilance and cooperation in identifying human trafficking activities within the region. Authorities emphasized that the successful prosecution serves as a deterrent to others involved in similar cross-border crimes and highlights the commitment of the Ghanaian judicial system to addressing gender-based violence and human rights abuses.