A Ghana-based Nigerian businessman, Ben Peters, was arrested by National Security operatives on Monday, April 7, near the Presidential office in Accra.
Alongside Peters, 25 others were also detained. They were arrested for allegedly blocking a road leading to an estate at Kanda, near the Jubilee House, where several diplomats, including the Spanish Ambassador to Ghana and his family, reside.
This was revealed by Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the Jubilee House, on JoyNews’ Pulse.
According to Mr Gbande, Peters, accompanied by his “personal security guards”, who were armed, blocked the main entrance to the estate for more than three hours over an unresolved business dispute.
“We went there, and indeed, the group, numbering about 60 to 70, had flooded the area. His men were dressed in black suits and white shirts with sirens on their pick-up trucks,” he explained.
“I was wondering why a private individual would have such power in our country to flout our laws, act with impunity, and render citizens helpless. It is unlawful, so he was handed over to the police for further questioning,” Mr Gbande added.
He also revealed that police motorbikes and an SUV were discovered while attempting to pick Peters up from one of the apartments in the estate.
When questioned about his unlawful actions, Peters claimed to own several apartments in the estate but said the estate developer had refused to provide him with “extra keys” to access the various facilities, which prompted him to block the road to draw attention and gain access to the keys.
“About 20 to 25 individuals were arrested, including Ben Peters and another white man who was found in his apartment when we arrived,” Mr Gbande stated.
Initial reports claimed that the main perpetrator resisted arrest until Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of President John Mahama, arrived on the scene, at which point he finally surrendered.
However, Mr Gbande said the brother of the President was not there; rather, Ben Peters was overpowered with extra force from the Greater Accra Police Command.
When Elton Brobbey, host of The Pulse, asked what business Ben Peters was involved in, Mr Gbande revealed, “Allegedly, this is the man who President Akufo-Addo used to run the COVID infrastructure project. He was the one managing the office, handling COVID infrastructure, the same individual everyone was paying.”
He emphasised, “We cannot allow foreigners to treat us with such disregard. We shouldn’t run a country where individuals can hold an entire community to ransom.”
