Two Nigerian citizens have been sentenced to prison for attempting to fraudulently acquire Ghana Cards using fabricated identities in a case that highlights the seriousness of identity document fraud.
Court Conviction and Sentencing Details
The Madina District Court II delivered its judgment on Friday, November 7, 2025, convicting Ike Isaac (also known as Alex Kwesi Brown Appiah), aged 20, and Emmanuel Innocent Egbe (also known as Innocent Emmanuel Kodom), aged 24. Presiding Judge Susana Nyakotey found both men guilty after a complete trial process.
The court handed down 12 months imprisonment for providing false information to National Identification Authority officials and 13 months for possessing forged documents. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning the defendants will serve a maximum of 13 months in prison.
Legal Charges and Consequences
The convictions stem from two specific criminal charges under Ghanaian law. The first charge was Providing False Information to National Identification Registration Officials under Section 40(1)(a) of the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750). The second charge was Possessing Forged Documents under Section 166 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Following their prison terms, both convicted Nigerians will face immediate deportation to Nigeria. They have been transferred to the Nsawam Prisons Authority to begin serving their sentences.
Official Response and Warning
The National Identification Authority (NIA) confirmed the conviction in an official statement released on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The authority commended the Ghana Police Service, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Unit attached to the NIA, and the Office of the Attorney-General for their collaborative efforts in securing the convictions.
"This conviction reaffirms our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the Ghana Card registration process as the single credible source of identity for all lawful residents," the NIA stated in their official communication.
The authority issued a strong warning that false information, impersonation, and the use of forged documents constitute serious criminal offenses. They pledged continued cooperation with security and judicial agencies to detect, investigate, and prosecute individuals who attempt to compromise the national identification system.
The NIA also reminded the public that the Ghana Card serves multiple critical functions beyond being a national identity document. It forms the foundation for accessing government services, conducting financial transactions, and maintaining national security. The authority emphasized that preserving the credibility of the Ghana Card is a shared responsibility that requires collective vigilance.
