Military Officer, 4 others bailed GH¢550,000 over kidnapping
Warrant Officer Class One (WOI) Elorm John Ahiakpor received bail set at GH¢150,000 with three sureties, while the other suspects were each granted bail at GH¢100,000 with two sureties.
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A military officer and four associates facing allegations of robbery and kidnapping involving a Dutch national appeared at the Accra Circuit Court and were granted bail.
Warrant Officer Class One (WOI) Elorm John Ahiakpor received bail set at GH¢150,000 with three sureties, while the other suspects—Silas Amewonye, a 25-year-old farmer; Farouk Nuodio, a 32-year-old trader; Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah, also known as Aljazeera, a 49-year-old trader; and Michael Nana Addo, a 25-year-old carpenter—were each granted bail at GH¢100,000 with two sureties.
The group faces charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping, alongside direct charges of robbery and kidnapping. All five defendants pleaded not guilty before Judge Samuel Bright Acquah.
Lawyers Andy Vortia and Carlos De-Souza successfully argued for bail on behalf of the accused.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kofi Anane, who outlined the case details, Dutch national Frederikus arrived in Ghana on October 17, 2024, to discuss a land purchase in Ningo Prampram with his friend, Amewonye. Amewonye, accompanied by Nuodio, met Frederikus at Kotoka International Airport and took him to Alexis Lodge in Afienya.
The following day, they took him to Amewonye’s home, where he was expected to stay. However, by October 20, Frederikus became alarmed by the behavior of Amewonye and Nuodio and expressed a desire to return to the Netherlands. In response, Amewonye confined him to a room and allegedly enlisted the other suspects to assist in kidnapping him, demanding a ransom of 15,000 Euros for his release.
Fearing for his life, Frederikus negotiated with the group, eventually agreeing to 5,000 Euros, but they insisted on an 8,000 Euro payment. Nuodio provided bank details for the transfer. When payment was delayed, the accused (except Amewonye) allegedly took him to a Stanbic ATM in Mataheko at gunpoint, forcing him to withdraw GH¢6,000.
While waiting for the Euro transfer, Frederikus contacted the police, who quickly responded, rescuing him and detaining the suspects. During questioning, the accused reportedly admitted to the charges.
