Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P of the former P-Square duo, has addressed confusion surrounding the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect sharing his name in Ghana. On May 9, 2025, the Ghana Police Service announced the arrest of Peter Okoye, alongside Chinonso Okafor, Christian Emeka, and Paulinus Chidokwe, for their alleged involvement in a transnational kidnapping and fraud scheme targeting two Ghanaian women, Anastasia Baidoo Arthur and Evelyn Konadu. A viral video of the arrest sparked widespread confusion on social media, with some netizens mistakenly linking the singer to the crime.
Reacting on his X account on May 19, 2025, Okoye reposted the video, urging the Ghana Police Service to clarify the suspect’s identity. Writing in Pidgin, he stated, “Abeg make una dey specifically dey specify which ‘PETER OKOYE’. I no be thief,” firmly distancing himself from the incident. The arrests followed a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service, Nigeria Police Force, and the National Signals Bureau, rescuing the victims on May 1, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. One suspect, Emeka Christian, confessed to receiving GH₵10,000 in ransom, converted to naira and transferred to a Nigerian bank account linked to the suspect Peter Okoye.
Okoye’s swift response quelled misinformation, with fans and media amplifying his clarification. The incident coincides with his ongoing legal disputes, including testifying against his elder brother, Jude Okoye, in a ₦1.3 billion fraud case before a Lagos court on May 16, 2025. The case, involving allegations of money laundering through Northside Music Ltd., has further spotlighted Okoye’s public profile, adding context to the sensitivity around his name.
The Ghanaian case underscores rising cross-border crime concerns, with Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority reporting $282,776 in cyberfraud losses from January to March 2025. Okoye’s clarification highlights the challenges celebrities face with mistaken identities in the digital age, while his firm stance reinforces his reputation as a law-abiding artist. As investigations continue, Okoye remains focused on his music career, distancing himself from the criminal allegations tied to his namesake.
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