In a decisive move against human trafficking, the Gender‑Based Violence Court in Tamale sentenced 24‑year‑old Mariam Yussif to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour on Friday. Yussif, a Nigerian national, was convicted of one count of human trafficking under Section 2(1) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) after a trial that began on 19 August 2026.
Yussif and her 22‑year‑old sister, Precious Clement, were arrested in Yendi on 17 August 2026 for allegedly recruiting and transporting victims from Nigeria to Ghana for sexual exploitation. While Yussif pleaded not guilty, Clement was not charged and was subsequently released.
The court, after several adjournments, heard Yussif’s case on 22 October 2026 and found her guilty. She has since been transferred to Tamale Central Prison to commence her sentence. The two victims involved in the case have been repatriated to Nigeria and reunited with their families.
Senior officers from the Northern Regional Police Command highlighted the case as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence‑led operations, thorough investigations and robust prosecution in the fight against human trafficking. They urged the public to report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
