Nana Yaw Kwakye, a businessman who allegedly conspired with one Nana Kwame, believed to be behind the trafficking of women to Kuwait to work under harsh conditions, has been put before an Accra Circuit Court for trafficking.
The suspect was put before the court presided over by Sedina Agbemava, charged with conspiracy to commit crime and trafficking.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢600 with two sureties while the case has been adjourned to August 8, 2014.
The alleged brain behind the recruitment, Nana Kwame, has gone underground since the accused person was arrested.
The prosecutor Chief Inspector Samuel Sarkwah, told the court that the complainant, Vida Dzorkome, is a seamstress while the suspect is a resident of Taifa, a suburb of Accra.
He said somewhere in the early part of 2014, a certain Grace resident in Kuwait, had called Vida and said she had found a lucrative job in Kuwait.
The prosecuting officer said that the victim became interested and was introduced to Nana Kwakye who also confirmed the story of Vida.
Chief Inspector Sarkwah said the accused person who operated without licence to recruit any persons – both locally and internationally – told Vida that she could earn a lot of money.
Furthermore, Chief Inspector Sarkwah said Nana Kwakye and his accomplice charged Vida GH¢2,700 before transporting her to Kuwait.
Explaining further, he stated that on reaching Kuwait, the victim and others were lined up for a selection process to begin and she (Vida) was subsequently chosen by a supposed master.
The police officer stated that when she got to her place of work her mobile phones were seized from her and she was made to work for 20 hours a day and given only one slice of bread and coffee.
In addition, Chief Inspector Sarkwah indicated that after three months of being unable to withstand her ordeal, she sent a message through a certain woman to her husband that she wanted to return home.
Explaining further, he stated that Nana Kwakye and Nana Kwame demanded to be paid GH¢1,900 and USD$1,500 before they could bring the victim home.
The prosecutor said Vida returned home and went to the Director of Criminal Investigations Department to report that she had been trafficked to Kuwait and had been exploited.
He said Nana Kwakye was arrested and he admitted the offence in his caution statement, while his accomplice had become a fugitive from justice.
The prosecutor said the suspect was arraigned before the court after police had concluded investigations.
By Fidelia Achama
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