3 Suspects remanded in human trafficking case
The Ashaiman District Court has remanded three individuals, Peter Okoyie (also known as Lea), Shadrak Jolly and Ezekiel Jolly, into police custody over allegations of conspiracy to commit human trafficking and human trafficking.
The accused persons were arraigned before the court, presided over by Derick Parden Eshun.
They were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, namely human trafficking, and human trafficking. Their pleas were not taken due to the absence of legal representation.
Court Proceedings
The suspects were arraigned on October 9, 2025, for conspiracy to commit a crime and human trafficking charges. They have been remanded into police custody and are expected to reappear on October 23, 2025.
Additionally, the court directed the police to forward five mobile phones retrieved from the accused persons to the Cyber Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters in Accra for further investigation
Operation
The operation, carried out by the Zenu-Atradea District Police Patrol Team on October 7, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., targeted a group involved in luring victims from Nigeria to Ghana under false pretences.
The police said, the suspects, identified as Peter Okoyie (36), Jolly Ezekiel (30), and Jolly Shadrack (33), allegedly confined the victims and forced them into internet fraud activities.
The victims, who were subjected to severe beatings and compelled to swear oaths of allegiance, were trained to create fake romantic relationships to defraud people in foreign countries.
They were also locked up in the house with limited access to basic necessities.
Among the inhumane conditions the victims were subjected to were eating only once a day at 3 pm, limited access to toilet facilities, with victims allowed to use the washroom only once a week and also bathing only once a week.
Items
During a follow-up search at the suspects’ residence at Peaceland, near Ashaiman, the Police retrieved items including laptops, routers, mobile phones, household goods and foodstuffs, which have been retained as exhibits to aid investigations.
The seven victims, who had been confined for about eight months, were also rescued.
Support
Meanwhile, the Zenu Atadeka District Police Commander, Superintendent Olivia Turkson, has indicated that the police were collaborating with the Ghana Immigration Service to facilitate the safe repatriation of the victims to Nigeria.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional Police Command, ASP Dede Dzakpasu, said the police urged the public to report any suspected human trafficking or cybercrime activities to the authorities.
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