Police drop kidnapping case against suspected Ex-Niger Delta Militants

The Ghana Police Service has withdrawn its prosecution of two Nigerian nationals believed to be former members of the Niger Delta militant group who were allegedly on a cross-border kidnapping mission in Ghana.

The accused, Joseph Howell, 43, a self-styled private security officer and Japhet Graham, 53, a self-proclaimed businessman had been facing charges of attempt to commit crime, namely kidnapping, contrary to Sections 18(1)(a) and 89 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

They were standing trial at the Accra Circuit Court 3, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful.

However, the police, who were conducting the prosecution, informed the court that they were unable to proceed due to a lack of cooperation from their counterparts in Nigeria.

Following the development, the court on November 10, 2025 struck out the case for want of prosecution and discharged the two men.

Before the withdrawal, the court had granted each accused person GH¢100,000 bail with two sureties, all to be justified.

Intelligence Tip-Off

Presenting the facts earlier, Chief Inspector Jacob Maalo Kuubal Esq. told the court that Ghanaian authorities were alerted on September 6, 2025 through intelligence from the Nigerian Police Intelligence Unit and INTERPOL NCB, about an alleged plot by the ex-militants to conduct kidnappings in Ghana.

According to the prosecution, three suspects based in Nigeria; Mathew (Lagos State), Smart Christmas Alfred (Ondo State) and Adusa Oyile (Delta River), had contacted one Tari Tiemo, believed to be the gang coordinator and now in custody in Nigeria, seeking financial assistance to travel to Ghana for the operation.

Tiari Tiemo allegedly promised each man ?1.5 million (approximately GH¢20,000) to support their families during the operation.

Their intended targets were wealthy individuals and expatriates, known within the group’s slang as “Oborobo.”

The prosecution revealed that the suspects planned to travel into Ghana via riverine routes using speedboats.

They also intended to disguise themselves in Ghanaian security uniforms to evade detection and after carrying out the kidnappings, return to the Niger Delta creeks to demand ransom from relatives of their victims.

Intercepted communications between the suspects and alleged Ghanaian informants led Ghanaian security officials to track down Howell and Graham in Aflao, in the Volta Region. Mobile numbers linked to planning conversations were traced directly to the accused.

Though both men initially denied knowing each other, investigations showed that they had been received at Prince Hotel in Aflao, by Tiemo, where they first met in person.

Police further established that both men entered Ghana illegally.

During interrogation, Howell reportedly claimed he travelled to Ghana to collect ?1.5 million owed him by his uncle, Tiemo.

Graham also insisted he had come to retrieve the same amount from a mutual acquaintance identified only as Jonas.

Howell additionally admitted he had affiliations with three security groups operating along the Delta River in Nigeria. Ghanaian authorities had said they were working with Nigerian security agencies to track down other suspects named during interrogations.

 

 

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