Two Alleged Nigerian Kidnappers Fail To Meet Bail Terms

Two Nigerians accused of kidnapping an 80-year-old American woman, Diana Christine Nelson, have made their second appearance at the Circuit Court in Accra.

The accused, Emmanuel Adedoyin Adebayor and Esther Ogbonna, appeared in handcuffs on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 after failing to meet their bail conditions. They were accompanied by security officers as they were led into the courtroom.

At a previous hearing on February 21, 2025 the trial judge, His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, granted them bail of GH¢500,000.00 each, with two sureties.

One surety was required to be a Nigerian residing in Ghana, while the other had to be a Ghanaian citizen.

The court imposed strict conditions in line with Ghanaian law, which allows bail for all offenses but at the judge’s discretion.

Despite their bail grant, Adebayor and Ogbonna remain in custody due to their inability to fulfill theirbail conditions. Their case has now been adjourned to March 17.

Alleged Kidnapping Scheme

According to the prosecution, the accused conspired to lure Nelson to Ghana under false pretenses.

Emmanuel Adebayor allegedly posed as “Mark Hammond,” a well-known U.S. actor and convinced the elderly woman to travel to Ghana on November 22, 2024.

Upon her arrival at Kotoka International Airport, she was received by Esther Ogbonna, who took her to a residence in East Legon Hills.

Later, she was moved to an apartment in Tema Community 11, where she was held captive.

During her captivity, the suspects allegedly seized Nelson’s mobile phones and bank cards, restricting her communication with the outside world.

Investigators say Adebayor and another suspect, Dennis Poromo – who remains at large – used her bank cards to withdraw $15,821.70 from her accounts.

They also reportedly demanded a $150,000 ransom from her family in the U.S. via Snapchat.

Rescue and Arrest

The case came to light when FBI officials at the U.S. Embassy in Accra alerted Ghanaian authorities.

Police intelligence led to the discovery of Nelson at a hotel in Larteh Akwapim on December 8, 2024.

Days later, on December 11, 2024 police arrested Adebayor while he was attempting to withdraw money using Nelson’s debit card.

Under interrogation, he took the investigation team, led by Detective Corporal Daniel Serekye, to the Tema Community 11 apartment, where Nelson was found weak and traumatised. She was immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention.

Prosecution’s Evidence

The prosecution has obtained images and videos as key evidence against the accused. The materials include;

Footage of Nelson’s arrival at the Kotoka International Airport where she was received by the accused.

Images of the East Legon Hills residence and the Tema Community 11 apartment, where she was held.

CCTV footage of Adebayor and Poromo using Nelson’s bank card to withdraw money at various ATMs.

Further investigations revealed that the suspects had sold Nelson’s mobile phones – an iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy A15, and a Bru phone – at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

However, authorities have recovered GH¢7,000.00 in cash and GH¢4,000.00 from ATM withdrawals. Her iPhone 12 remains missing.

As the case progresses, law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to apprehend Dennis Poromo, the third suspect in the case.

The post Two Alleged Nigerian Kidnappers Fail To Meet Bail Terms appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

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