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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.
The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.
Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.
While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”
The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”
He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.
While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.
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This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.
Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.
He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.
“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.
“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.
Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.
Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”
He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.
Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”
The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.
It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”
The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.
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Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”
In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate
Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration
In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.
The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”
Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.
He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”
At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.
The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”
He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”
PRESS RELEASE
Nigeria @65: @atiku Hails Nigerians’ Courage, Blasts APC Over Economic Strangulation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has paid tribute to the uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience of Nigerians who, despite living under… pic.twitter.com/cPnI9KzxrJ
— Paul Ibe (@omonlakiki) September 30, 2025
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