Ghanaian, Togolese remanded for child trafficking

Hohoe, Feb. 18, GNA - A circuit court at Hohoe, has remanded Kegbameni Blasa, 26, a Togolese and a Ghanaian counterpart, Badaheo Kajabei, 25, who conspired to steal and traffic a child. The pleas of the suspects were not taken and they would reappear at court on February 27 this year.

Chief Inspector Samuel Gbedemah told the court presided over by Mr. Edward B. Apenkwa, that Blasa who lived at Kpalu in Togo visited Tehewah Abalo, a farmer at Kambole in the same country in September last year. Prosecution said Blasa asked for a loan from Abalo, to enable him to refuel his motorbike so that he could continue his journey. Chief Insp. Gbedemah said instead of the loan, Blasa was given casual work to do to be able to earn money for fuel. Prosecution said weeks later, Blasa visited Abalo at Kambole again and explained that he made a stop-over to thank him (Abalo) for assisting him during his earlier visit.

Chief Insp. Gbedemah said while Abalo's wife was preparing food for Blasa, he (Blasa) bolted with the couple's eight year-old daughter to Nkwanta, in the Volta Region in Ghana. Prosecution said at Nkwanta, Blasa contacted Kajabei to assist him to sell the girl to raise money to buy an Urvan bus and acquire a driver's licence.

Chief Insp. Gbedemah said Kajabei contacted a witness in the case, who (witness) feigned interest and alerted the police. Prosecution said police lured Blasa and Kajabei to a hotel in Nkwanta to meet an "Alhaji" (who pretended) he wanted to buy the girl. Chief Insp. Gbedemah said at that meeting Blasa and Kajabei offered to sell the victim at GH¢ 48,000 but the "Alhaji" said he could pay GH¢ 21,000.

Prosecution said police who had cordoned off the area arrested Blasa and Kajabei.