NDC Parliamentary candidate discharged for human trafficking

Accra, May 21, GNA - The Osu Magistrate's Court has discharged Mr Ibrahim Zubairu, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for Agona West, Central Region, who was charged for human trafficking related offence and was widely published early this year. The court discharged Mr. Zubairu, who is also a lecturer in Business and Financial Administration at the Accra Polytechnic, of aiding and assisting four Iraqis to enter Ghana and knowingly harbouring persons in contravention of the Ghana Immigration Act for lack of evidence.

He had pleaded not guilty and was admitted to GH 2,500 cedis bail with two sureties.

"Accused is discharged for lack of evidence" the Court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew said. The four Iraqis were Ali Thaker Abd-Al-Haleem, Mohammed Alhi Ahmed, Zina Tarik Fahal Al-Kubaisy and Rawan Mohammed. The Prosecution has it that on November 24, 2007, Zubairu and George Shanin Danjuma picked four Iraqis from IBIS hotel in Lome, Togo at about 2200 hours and drove them through several unapproved narrow routes.

Prosecution claimed that investigation revealed that Zubairu received 12,000 Euros from the Iraqis to be disbursed to one Pola Opoku for the necessary documentation and other expenses to pave the way for the Iraqis to travel to Europe through illegal means. Mr R.S. Blay, an Accra Legal Practitioner, represented Zubairu. Talking to the Ghana News Agency after his discharge, Zubairu said he knew the father of Zina, who is the daughter of one Dr Tarick Fahal, who is a lecturer at Lincoln University, UK while studying for his masters degree and as Muslims their friendship deepened. He said Zina was married to Ahmed and the two others were the siblings of Zina. They were travelling from Iraq to Europe through Ghana to meet their father.

He said when they arrived in Ghana, the Ghana Immigration Service gave them 21 days stay and during a check on their background, the Iraqis, who were stranded and had no money, mentioned Zubairu as a friend of their father. Zubairu said he contacted Dr Fahal, who sent money through the Western Union Money Transfer to cover their travelling expenses.