Second suspect in the unresolved kidnapping of three girls in Takoradi in the Western region, has been remanded.

The 29-year old Nigerian, John Oji, appeared at the Sekondi-Takoradi High Court II on Wednesday, June 12, for the offence of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping.

John Oji has been the name on the lips of the first suspect and also Nigerian, Samuel Udoetuk Wills, who has described him as the key to unraveling the kidnapping that has gained sustained national attention.

Photo: Samuel Udoetuk

John Oji was reportedly arrested in Togo a few days ago.

He arrived at court premises in a tinted police vehicle and with his head in a hood with eager journalists scrambling to capture his identity.

State attorneys led by Adelaide Kobire Wood, asked the presiding judge, Justice Hannah Taylor to remand the suspect into police custody as investigation into the case continues.

The request was granted and the suspect is to re-appear in court June 26.

The families have been desperate for news of their daughters and their whereabouts since Priscilla Bentum was kidnapped in August 2018 – the first of three such incidents.

Since then, two others have gone missing; Priscilla Mantebea Koranchie and Ruth Love Quayson in December same year.

Samuel Udoetuk Wills, 28, was first arrested on December 22, 2018, in connection with the kidnapping. But he escaped for eight days and was re-arrested on December 30.

Wills was charged with escape from lawful custody, destroying public property and resisting lawful arrest.

He was found guilty of all three charges and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The substantive case of kidnapping is yet to be commenced. The arrest of John Oji is expected to enhance police investigations. He is expected to be brought to Accra.