Three 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 Mr. Derick Parden Eshun.
Charges
The accused 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, and have been remanded into police custody. They are expected to reappear before the court on October 23, 2025.
The court also 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-Atadeka District Police Patrol Team on October 7, 2025, at about 4:00 p.m., targeted a group allegedly involved in luring victims from Nigeria to Ghana under false pretences.
According to police reports, 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 were reportedly subjected to severe beatings and forced to swear oaths of allegiance. They were also trained to create fake romantic relationships to defraud people in foreign countries.
They were kept under inhumane conditions, including being locked indoors, allowed to eat only once a day at 3 p.m., use toilet facilities once a week, and bathe once a week.
Items retrieved
During a follow-up search at the suspects’ residence in Peaceland, near Ashaiman, the police retrieved laptops, routers, mobile phones, household goods, and foodstuffs, which have been retained as exhibits to aid the investigation.
The police also rescued seven victims who had been confined for about eight months.
Support and next steps
The Zenu-Atadeka District Police Commander, Superintendent Olivia Turkson, said 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, urged the public to report any suspected human trafficking or cybercrime activities to the authorities.