Arrest of Nigerian Tycoon Ben Peters: Key Developments and Allegations

Ben Peters, a Nigerian businessman, was arrested in a security operation involving approximately 25 others. He is accused of blocking a road, unauthorized use of police sirens, operating an unregistered security agency, and possessing unregistered vehicles. His initial resistance to arrest escalated into a security incident prompting the involvement of National Security. Contradictory accounts from Nigerian media question the nature of the incident, describing it as merely a traffic obstruction.

Ben Peters, a Nigerian businessman based in Ghana, has reportedly been arrested alongside approximately 25 other individuals at the Aurora Apartments in Kanda, near Jubilee House. The operation was executed by a coalition of National Security operatives, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces, guided by Richard Jakpa, the Director in Charge of Special Operations, and Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy Director of Operations at the Office of the President. Peters was subsequently taken to the Greater Accra Regional CID for further questioning.

In a series of interviews, Mustapha Gbande outlined the alleged offenses committed by Mr. Peters. Noteworthy allegations include the blocking of a roadway; Mr. Peters reportedly obstructed access to the apartment complex using his vehicles and armed personnel in response to the apartment owners refusing to provide him with keys to certain rooms.

Additionally, it was discovered that several vehicles owned by the businessman were equipped with police sirens. Gbande insisted that this practice is illegal under Ghanaian law, which does not permit private citizens or businessman-owned vehicles to utilize sirens, unless they belong to authorized entities like the police or government officials.

Mr. Peters is further accused of employing an unauthorized security agency, which contravenes Ghanaian laws requiring the Minister of the Interior’s approval for such operations. Furthermore, authorities claim that Peters possesses around 20 unregistered vehicles, including one with a police motorcade lacking a number plate.

The National Security’s involvement escalated due to threats from Peters’ security team towards law enforcement officials attempting the arrest. Reports indicated that his team, comprised of 60 to 70 individuals dressed in black attire, posed a significant challenge to the arrest operation, prompting heightened security measures.

During the unfolding events, Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama reportedly intervened, which ultimately led to Mr. Peters’ arrest after he initially attempted to evade capture. Contrarily, some Nigerian media sources, including Vanguard, have refuted the arrest claims, asserting that the incident was merely a traffic obstruction situation and that Mr. Peters cooperated with the authorities throughout the ordeal.

The arrest of Ben Peters highlights potential breaches of Ghanaian law concerning road regulations, usage of sirens, and unauthorized security services. While the official report indicates serious allegations leading to a significant law enforcement operation, conflicting reports from Nigerian media suggest the situation was misconstrued as an arrest. The ongoing investigation will likely clarify the circumstances surrounding these events and the appropriateness of the actions taken by all parties involved.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com