Oyibi cybercrime suspects remanded by court

Two Nigerian nationals have been arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court over an alleged cybercrime and human trafficking scheme involving 23 fellow countrymen who were deceived into coming to Ghana with the promise of high-paying jobs.

Godwin Ekene, a computer technician, and Osazuwa Friday, a trader, are facing charges including kidnapping, attempted fraud, and cyber-related offences. Their pleas were not taken as the police continue with investigations. A third suspect, identified only as Alvin, is currently on the run.

According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Edina Atinga, the accused lured their victims from Nigeria to the Oyibi area in Accra under the guise of securing them decent employment. However, upon arrival, the victims were reportedly held against their will and coerced into engaging in cybercrime—commonly referred to as “yatino yahoo.”

Acting on intelligence, a combined team from the Ghana Police CID’s Cybercrime Unit and the Cyber Security Authority raided apartments 16 and 20 of Ubuntu Heavens Estate at Oyibi on July 3, 2025. There, they arrested the two suspects and rescued the 23 individuals who were found operating laptops in what appeared to be a cybercrime setup.

During the operation, officers seized 33 laptops, a tablet, and 20 mobile phones. The victims claimed that Ekene, Friday, and the missing Alvin had brought them into the country under false pretenses, only to force them into illegal online activities.

Presiding judge Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah remanded the accused persons into police custody while the case develops. Forensic analysis of the seized electronic devices is pending, and authorities are working to contact the families of the victims.