The Inspector-General of Police’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET) has arrested 11 individuals, including Nigerian nationals, for using deepfake AI-generated video content to impersonate the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
In coordinated cyber operations conducted between May 1 and May 3, 2026, CVET raided multiple locations in the Volta Region, including Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi, and Aflao, acting on intelligence about a group producing and circulating AI-generated videos falsely portraying the President.
The first wave of arrests brought in five Ghanaians: Raphael Ablordeppey, 32; Anipah Jonathan, 23; Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35; Thomas Ayoyo, 17; and Louis Segbawu, 18.
On May 4, 2026, a second cyber field tracking operation in Aflao led to the arrest of five Nigerian nationals and one additional Ghanaian engaged in similar fraudulent online activities.
The Nigerian suspects are Bishop Esiri, 46; Wisdom James, 25; Ali Lucky, 23; Edwin Edos, 22; and John Kofi Darlington, 20. The sole Ghanaian in this group is Danu Peter, 19.
Authorities seized several exhibits during the operations, including laptop computers, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards, and a Mercedes-Benz ML 350 with Nigerian registration (Lagos LSR 138HR).
Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects used the fraudulent AI-generated content to solicit money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting members of the public via online platforms.
The team further established that the suspects are part of a wider network engaged in creating and disseminating deceptive digital content impersonating high-profile personalities for financial gain.
In court on May 6, 2026, nine of the 11 suspects were remanded into police custody and ordered to reappear on May 25, 2026.
The remaining two, Thomas Ayoyo, 17, and Louis Segbawu, 18, were granted bail with two sureties to be justified.
