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Ben Peters: What we know about Nigerian billionaire arrested by National Security
Nigerian businessman, Benedict Peters, widely known as Ben Peters, was reportedly arrested in a joint operation involving operatives of Ghana’s National Security, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces.
Ben Peters, together with about 25 unidentified men, were reportedly arrested for allegedly blocking access to an apartment building close to the seat of government, the Jubilee House, and also for blowing a police siren on one of his vehicles, on Monday, April 7, 2025.
But this is not the first time the Nigerian billionaire business tycoon has made news headlines in Ghana.
During the government of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ben Peters, who is believed to be a friend of the Akufo-Addo family, came up in a number of corruption scandals.
He is the owner of Frontiers Healthcare Services Limited, the company that was responsible for the COVID-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) during the COVID 19 pandemic.
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In 2022, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzete Ablakwa, claimed that Ben Peters amassed a profit of GHC984,7 million (US$130 million) from COVID-19 testing in just 18 months, at the expense of the Ghana Airport Company, which made only US$8 million..
In 2023, Ben Peters’ name came up again in the ‘Heaven Scandal, also shared by Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is the Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region.
Ablakwa claimed that 62.14 acres of airport lands priced at over US$6.3 million per 1.7 acres in 2019 were sold to Heaven Builders Limited, a company owned by the Nigerian billionaire, who he said is a friend of Edward Akufo-Addo, alias “Bumpty,” a younger brother of Akufo-Addo, at US$1.3 per 1.7 acres.
Aside from the two companies mentioned above, Ben Peters owns extensive assets in the oil and gas and mining industries in several countries, including Ghana.
He is the founder and CEO of Aiteo, which is believed to be Africa’s largest indigenous oil producer, and Bravura Holdings, a vertically integrated mining company developing platinum, lithium, steel, copper, and gold assets in countries throughout Africa.
News of the arrest of Benedict Peters sparked wild jubilation among residents at Aurora Apartments in Kanda, close to the Jubilee House.
The jubilation stems from reports by the residents that, Mr. Peters who is wanted by the Nigerian Government for criminal activities, including corruption, has terrorized them for several years now and was being protected by the erstwhile government.
According to some of the residents who spoke to online portal (not ThePapers), the fugitive businessman has constituted a huge nuisance to them and all within the area since he pitched camp there several years ago, and has bragged and boasted about his connections in high places, for which reason no one could apprehend him.
One elated resident, Jacob Asamoah said Mr. Peters even had in his possession, vehicles belonging to the National Security, parked in his basement, and was in cahoots with the immediate past administration.
He said they lodged several complaints and sent many petitions to law enforcement agencies and the erstwhile government on the reckless conduct of Mr. Peters to no avail.
He said ‘’Today we are extremely happy and grateful to President Mahama and his government for this big move. They have done us a great deal of good and this residential area will see some sanity, after several years. That Peters guy is a fugitive. He is wanted in Nigeria and should be deported there immediately to face justice. He has terrorized us for far too long’’.
Mr. Asamoah added that ‘’He has used the place as a brothel, a night club and avenue for perpetrating various criminal activities in the full glare of the law enforcement agencies who have benefited from his dubious largesse. We are happy that under this government, National Security, the Military and the Police are all involved, and the fact that he has been smoked out of hiding and apprehended, gives us hope that peace has come to stay in this area’’.
Mr. Peters’ arrest was prompted by complaints by residents of the area who said he had, together with some acquaintances, blocked the entrance of the apartments with his vehicles, denying many access to the apartments. He was reported to have gone into hiding after he got wind of his imminent arrest and only surfaced when the younger brother of President John Mahama, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama appeared at the scene, eventually culminating in his arrest.
Mr. Peters and his men were said to be fully armed and engaged the security operatives in a heavy battle before they were subdued and apprehended, and this has been corroborated by video evidence, as they were seen brazenly resisting arrest.
Deputy General Secretary of the governing NDC, Mr. Mustapha Gbande who was part of the operation that led to the arrest of Mr. Peters in an interview with the media observed that Mr. Peters run his own army, had military-like vehicles and motorbikes that should not be owned by individuals, and was basically a nuisance to the society.
Mr. Peters, together with his associates, were arrested and some of his vehicles were seized by the National Security, led by the Director of Special duties, Mr. Richard Jakpa.
Mr. Peters owns Aiteo Group of Companies in Nigeria, who was entangled in a web of controversy on allegations of corruption and questions surrounding the COVID-19 testing contract in Ghana a few years back.
A civil society group dragged Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to court, demanding Peters’ arrest and prosecution over corruption allegations. The lack of transparency regarding the USD 150 COVID-19 test at Kotoka International Airport in Accra left travelers and Ghana’s political landscape in turmoil.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who revealed some details of the Frontier contract with the Ghana Airports Company (GACL) at the time, stated that GACL made $10 out of every $150 collected for COVID test at Ghana’s Airport.
According to him, Frontier is estimated to have made a colossal $130m from the 2-year contract.
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[JUST IN] Wike’s Assassination Plot: Police Take Action On Top Governor Fubara’s Ally; Nigerians React
The Nigeria Police Force, through the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has finally invited Tammy Wenike Danagogo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), over the allegation that he was speaking in a leaked telephone conversation, discussing how to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Danagogo is a top ally of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers. It was alleged that the governor’s ally was making the call with Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
In the leaked conversation, Danagogo and Gbeneol were said to have discussed how they could bring in an Israeli national to assassinate the minister of the FCT, and it ended with an alleged plan to urge Governor Fubara to fund the execution.
Last week, Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer of the police, reportedly revealed the arrest of Gbeneol in a statement on Tuesday, January 6, where he disclosed that further information on the issue would be made available after the interrogation had been completed.
This is coming amid the heated political tension between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Since the Christmas holiday, the two political leaders have been throwing banters at each other. The governor has been accused of ignoring the peace agreement he signed with President Bola Tinubu in 2025.
The news of the police invitation to Danagogo was shared by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Wike. The development has started generating reactions from some Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
Olufemi Aluko described it as a joke:
“Once I saw Israel, I just started laughing. We’re not serious in this country. I just knew it had to be a joke.”
Seyi questioned: “Leaked conversation. Yeah. How many phone taps do the DSS actually have running?”
Dare called for a deeper investigation: “Has it got to this? This is barbaric. If found culpable, he should be made to face the law.”
Meenah condemned the development:
“Another shocking development. When close allies of a governor are linked to alleged assassination plots, it raises serious questions about leadership and accountability. Rivers State deserves leaders who unify, not ones whose associates spark fear and chaos.”
Read more reactions to the news from X here: /
Police Invite Fubara's Ex-SSG Tammy Danagogo Over Leaked Phone Conversation Plotting Wike’s Assassination
The Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has invited a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Tammy Wenike Danagogo, for…
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) January 12, 2026
News
BREAKING: Grief, Lamentation As 3 APC Chieftains Die
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost three of its chieftains in Kogi to the cold hand of death. The APC chieftains are Alih Atabo, Onojah James Ignatius, and Jatto Onimisi Suleiman.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information and communication, announced their deaths in a statement in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday, January 12.
According to Fanwo, the government and people of Kogi received the death of the APC chieftains with profound sorrow, describing them as distinguished sons of the state.
The statement reads in part: From breaking news to viral moments. “Hon. Onojah James Ignatius, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State and former Chairman of Igalamela Local Government Area; Hon. Jatto Onimisi Suleiman, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; and Alhaji Alih Atabo, APC Chairman of Anyigba Ward in Dekina Local Government Area.”
The Punch reported that Fanwo maintained that the deceased served the state and the APC with uncommon loyalty, dedication and commitment.
However, the state government did not disclose the causes of their deaths but conveyed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s condolences to the family, friends, associates and the APC family in the state.
Nigerians have therefore reacted to the news of their deaths differently:
Adeyemi condemned Nigerians mocking the dead: “It is truly heartbreaking how many Nigerians have lost their humanity. When a fellow human being passes away, the only thing some people can do is mock them over petty political differences. It’s a disgrace. Death is inevitable for us all; those who are mocking the dead today should remember that they could be the victims tomorrow.”
Chiedozie Onyeke prayed for them: “God should have allowed them to enjoy Tinubu’s reforms small. May their souls rest in peace.”
Uzochukwu Agu O.G. made an unverified claim: “They were clogs in the wheel of Yahaya Bello’s Ambition. It is what it is. The next set of chieftains to replace them will unilaterally call for Yahaya Bello to run for Senate.”
Adams Azeez prayed for the deceased: “Whatever your politics, death is a reminder that power is temporary. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find strength.”
Ajayi Ogidiolu demanded more clarity about their death: “When did they die? Died or killed? The information is not really clear.”
News
BREAKING: KWAM 1 Writes Ogun Govt, Accuses Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Plot to Exclude Him From Awujale Selection
Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM1, has written to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging that he is being deliberately sidelined from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land.
Ayinde, in a petition dated January 8, 2026, accused the Fusengbuwa ruling house next in line to produce the monarch of taking actions that allegedly violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State. He claimed the moves were designed to disenfranchise him from contesting for the revered throne.
The letter, written on his behalf by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, was addressed to Governor Abiodun and outlined what the Fuji star described as procedural irregularities in the selection process.
According to the petition, the contest for the Awujale stool has attracted over 60 aspirants, with Ayinde formally declaring his interest. However, the Fusengbuwa family has maintained that KWAM1 is not a member of the ruling house and is therefore ineligible to participate in the exercise.
Before writing to the governor, Ayinde had approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to restrain Governor Abiodun and six others from continuing with the selection process. The court, however, dismissed the application, ruling that it lacked merit. The musician later withdrew the suit without publicly stating his reasons.
In his latest letter, Ayinde disclosed that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, via a letter dated January 6, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had approved the commencement of the selection process by the ruling house.
He expressed surprise that while members of the Fusengbuwa family were preparing for a general meeting, the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, allegedly issued a notice directing aspirants to collect nomination forms and appear before a screening committee.
The screening committee, according to Ayinde, is chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga. He further alleged that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, while also stating that the process would be conducted by delegates to be selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.
Ayinde argued that the sequence of events was confusing, contradictory, and contrary to established laws guiding traditional chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ogun State Government nor the Fusengbuwa ruling house had officially responded to the allegations.
Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Awujale succession process and provide updates as the story unfolds.
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