Accra, Sept. 27 GNA - An Accra Circuit Tribunal on Monday remanded in Police custody, five persons, who were allegedly operating a communication centre, which has caused financial loss of 67.3 million cedis to the Ghana Telecom.
The tribunal chaired by Mr Charles Nyewolema ordered that all the accused persons should be remanded, to enable the prosecution to thoroughly investigate their background, as to having other communication centres and also if the foreigners among were covered with valid documents for their stay in the country.
Mr Nyewolema, who noted that "Ghana is a simple society," said the proper thing should be done to assist the law, so that the society will be free. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and causing financial loss to Ghana Telecom.
They will appear again on October 12. They are Tarek Nasser, 28, Canadian, Managing Director of "SOJAFRICA" Industry, Michael Adaola, 30, Nigerian, a trader, Christian Tagoe, 32, a technician, Stanley Ledlum Kofi Dzorblewu, 35, a technician and James Femi Mankinde, 40, Nigerian, a trader.
An accomplice, Mark Nyamekye, who was charged with the same offence, is on the run. Prosecuting, Police Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Elizabeth Allandu said the complainant, a security co-ordinator of Ghana Telecom detected a telephone bill of 67.3 million cedis for the periods of June and July, this year and subsequently questioned Nasser, he denied using the telephone.
ASP Allandu said Nasser rather engaged Tagoe, who was then with the Ghana Telecom Training School, to transfer the line from his Kokomlemle residence to Kaneshie office but later abandoned the idea of using that office.
The prosecutor said Tagoe told the Ghana Telecom Authorities, who interrogated him, that it was for Adaola, that he tapped the line for and him to for his communication business.
ASP Allandu said Police investigation established that Nasser gave Adaola 1.6 million cedis to run the illegal business for him and that, he (Adaola) was receiving a fee of one million cedis a week.
She said Adaola discussed with Tagoe, Dzorblewu, Makinde and Nyamekye to assist him in the communication business, by illegally connecting lines to his centre, which they feigned interest.
ASP Allandu said the business flourished that, almost everyone in the area patronised the centre, which was be connected on the "IDD" to various destinations.
She said during investigation, the Police recovered one pansonic and one Ghana Telecom telephone receivers, Ericson mobile phone, telephone cables and hooks as well as cash of 100,000 cedis and 200,000 dollars.
