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The Gender-Based Violence Court in Tamale has sentenced Mariam Yussif, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, to seven years in prison with hard labour for human trafficking. The conviction, delivered on October 22, 2026, follows a successful police investigation into the recruitment and movement of victims from Nigeria to Ghana for sexual exploitation. The court found Yussif guilty of violating the Human Trafficking Act through a scheme that lured young women across borders under false pretences.
Yussif's legal troubles began on August 17, 2026, when she was arrested alongside her sister, Precious Clement. During the proceedings, evidence established that Yussif was responsible for the logistics of moving the victims into the Tamale metropolis for exploitation. While Yussif received a custodial sentence, the court ordered the release of Precious Clement due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking her to the specific criminal acts charged by the state.
Following the conclusion of the trial, the two victims identified in the case have been repatriated to Nigeria and reunited with their families. Police authorities have highlighted this conviction as a victory for cross-border law enforcement and urged members of the public to remain vigilant. They emphasized that community involvement and the reporting of suspicious activities are vital to identifying and dismantling human trafficking syndicates operating within the region.