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 suspects appeared before the court, presided over by Mr. Derick Parden Eshun, on October 9, 2025, but their pleas were not taken due to the absence of legal representation. They are scheduled to reappear on October 23, 2025.
The accused face two counts: conspiracy to commit a crime (human trafficking) and human trafficking.
The court further ordered the police to submit five mobile phones seized from the suspects to the Cyber Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters in Accra for digital forensic analysis.
The arrests followed a police operation by the Zenu-Atadeka District Patrol Team on October 7, 2025, around 4:00 p.m. The operation targeted a group suspected of luring victims from Nigeria to Ghana under false pretences of employment opportunities.
According to police investigations, the suspects — Okoyie (36), Ezekiel (30), and Shadrak (33) — allegedly detained the victims and coerced them into engaging in internet fraud. Reports indicate the victims endured severe beatings, were forced to swear oaths of allegiance, and were trained to conduct romance scams aimed at defrauding individuals abroad.
The victims were reportedly held under inhumane conditions, confined indoors, permitted to eat only once daily at 3 p.m., use toilet facilities once a week, and bathe only once a week.
A follow-up search of the suspects’ residence at Peaceland, near Ashaiman, led to the recovery of laptops, routers, mobile phones, household items, and foodstuffs, all retained as exhibits.
Police also rescued seven victims, who had allegedly been held captive for about eight months.
The Zenu-Atadeka District Police Commander, Superintendent Olivia Turkson, disclosed that the police are working closely with the Ghana Immigration Service to ensure the safe repatriation of the victims to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional Police Command, ASP Dede Dzakpasu, urged the public to report any incidents of human trafficking or cybercrime to law enforcement agencies to aid in the fight against such crimes.
