Two Nigerians Arrested for Alleged Kidnapping of 80-Year-Old American
Two Nigerians were arrested for allegedly kidnapping 80-year-old American Diana Christine Nelson in Ghana. They face multiple charges, including kidnapping and theft, after being caught in an FBI investigation. The suspects were granted bail and are required to report to the Police twice a month. Prosecution revealed extensive theft from the victim’s bank accounts and attempted ransom demands from her family.
Two Nigerians, Emmanuel Adedoyin Adebayor and Esther Ogbonna, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of an 80-year-old American citizen, Diana Christine Nelson. Adebayor, a 28-year-old trader, and Ogbonna, a beautician, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court, facing charges related to conspiracy, kidnapping, and theft. A third suspect, Dennis Poromo, remains at large.
During the court session presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, both suspects pleaded not guilty. They were granted bail set at GH¢500,000, requiring two sureties—one from the Nigerian Community in Ghana and another Ghanaian. Additionally, they must surrender their travel documents, report to the police twice monthly, and will return to court on March 5, 2025.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, revealed that the FBI alerted the Police on December 6, 2024, about Nelson’s kidnapping. The victim arrived in Ghana on November 22, 2024, and investigations began after the FBI received a report from her family regarding her disappearance. The Police traced her to a hotel in Larteh Akwapim based on intelligence gathered.
Adebayor was apprehended on December 11, 2024, while attempting to withdraw funds from Nelson’s bank account using her US ATM debit card. His arrest led the authorities to the location where she was being held hostage in Tema Community 11. Nelson appeared traumatized and was subsequently taken to a hospital for care.
Investigations uncovered that Adebayor had posed as Mark Hammond, a well-known American actor, to deceive Nelson into traveling to Ghana, where Esther retrieved her from the airport and transported her to a residence. Throughout her captivity, Esther reportedly cared for Nelson while the suspects seized her bank cards and mobile devices, instructing her to maintain silence about her situation.
From the time of her abduction, Adebayor and Poromo charged Nelson’s family a ransom of $150,000 while illicitly withdrawing $15,821.70 from her account using her visa card. The suspected criminals sold three of her mobile phones and were found in possession of GH¢7,000 and GH¢4,000, proceeds from the sale and ATM withdrawals respectively. Notably, one iPhone 12 remains unaccounted for, amidst the investigation’s ongoing developments.
The recent arrest of two Nigerians for the alleged kidnapping of an 80-year-old American underscores the severity of crimes exploiting vulnerable individuals. The charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and theft highlight the organized nature of the crime, which involved identity deception and financial fraud. The legal proceedings will continue as authorities pursue additional suspects and seek justice for the victim.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
