Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has lauded a Ghanaian court for sentencing Chukwudi Nwachukwu, a Nigerian based in Ghana, to 10 years in prison for human trafficking.

A statement dated October 31 by Gabriel Odu, spokesperson for NIDCOM, said, “Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa @abikedabiri has applauded the Ghana Achimota Circuit Court presided over by Her Honour Mrs Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong for sentencing a Nigerian human trafficking ringleader, Chukwudi Nwachukwu, to 10 years in prison with hard labour after months of painstaking investigations and surveillance.”

The statement, which was circulated by Mrs Dabiri-Erewa on X, recalled the role of the NIDCOM boss in the rescue of 10 girls from Ghana earlier in the year.

“It could be recalled that early this year, 10 girls were rescued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Ghana chapter, led by the board chairman, Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, the Nigerian High Commission, Ghana, and the Ghana security agencies,” the statement said.

It added, “They were safely brought back home courtesy of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman/CEO, a delegation of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Nwangele state constituency.”

According to the statement, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa urged parents and guardians to be more vigilant in the upbringing and whereabouts of their wards, adding that human traffickers will be brought to book no matter how long it takes.

In June 2024, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa called for “naming and shaming” of human traffickers because they are worse than drug barons.

Last week, Peoples Gazette reported that Mr Chukwudi was jailed for trafficking his sister and nine others to Ghana for prostitution.

Ghanaian police investigations show that Mr Nwachukwu forced the trafficked girls to take an oath and confiscated their travel documents to keep them under control while extorting them.