The Circuit Court judge at Achimota, Mrs Akosua Anokyewaa Agyepong, has called upon Ghanaian security agencies to collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts to apprehend a fugitive commercial sex worker, allegedly a key figure in a human trafficking case.
This development comes after 22-year-old Nicky Isabella aka Bella was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison.
The judge’s directive aims to combat human trafficking, a menace that has been plaguing the Country.
On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Circuit Court sentenced Nicky Isabella, alias Bella into five years each for three counts- conspiracy and two counts of human trafficking an offence which was against the section 2(1) and (2) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) as amended by section 1(1) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2009 of (Act 784).
The Court prior to sentencing the convict, said it had received a pregnancy test results as per the order of the court on April 2, when she was convicted and the convict, a female, was not pregnant.
In sentencing, the Court said, it took into consideration the mitigation plea of the convict, the fact that she is a first time offender, time spent on remand and statutory provisions to arrive at her decision.
In all the three counts which includes conspiracy, the Court sentenced her to serve five years on each. But the sentences the court said are to run concurrently, meaning instead of 15 years, she will only serve five years.
Prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Isaac Babayi, was able to prove it case after full trial.
I’m innocent
In her mitigation plea to the Court before her sentencing, Nicky Isabella pleaded with the court to have “mercy on me,” adding that, “I’m innocent”
She broke down in tears while the five years custodial sentence was imposed on her to deter other like-minded individuals from engaging in the same activities.
Brief facts
Per the brief facts of the case as presented to the Court by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Isaac Babayi, were that, the complainants – ages 23 and 22 are victims.
While the accused persons are Nicky Isabella a.k.a Bella (A1), age 22, (now convict) is a hairdresser and Nelly (A2) at large all Nigerians living in Ghana at Ability Square, Adjiringanor.
The Prosecutor said, on June 18, 2024 the complainants reported at the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit CID Headquarters, Accra with a complaint that Nicky Isabella a.k.a Bella and Nelly deceived, lured, recruited and transported them from Nigeria to Ghana in May,2024, under the pretext of securing them jobs in a supermarket.
But ended up forcing them into prostitution against their will and the proceeds collected from them.
ASP Babayi said, upon receipt of the complaint, the victims were interviewed and later gave their statements to the Police.
He said, Preliminary investigations revealed that Bella with an intent to exploit the complainants made them swear on a Bible and later cut pieces of their hair which she threatened to use against them should they refuse to work as prostitutes or run away with her money while serving her.
The Prosecutor said, they were to work as prostitutes for a period of three to four months depending on the amount of money, they make daily before they could gain their freedom.
On June 20, 2024, a team of personnel led by the Unit Station Officer together with the two complainants went to Ability Square Adjiringanor and arrested Bella.
ASP Babayi said, Bella was interrogated, during which she informed Police that she knows both complainants and admitted having transported them from Nigeria to Ghana and engaging them into prostitution.
The Prosecutor said, a search conducted in Bella’s room at AUSBUILD apartment, revealed a blue book with an inscription ‘Executive Shorthand Notebook’ which contains recorded proceeds and human hair were retrieved by Police.
He said, during investigation, Bella admitted forcing the victims into prostitution for over a month and also collecting proceeds from the prostitution work.
After investigations, accused persons were charged with the offences as stated on the charge sheet and arranged before this honourable court.
