Court fines five stowaways

Sekondi (western Region) -- A Sekondi Magistrate Court has imposed a fine of ?5 million on five persons who attempted to stow away on an oil rig to Brazil.

The five persons were found on the rig, which was meant for repairs in Brazil.

The accused persons are John Amoo, 33, an employee of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC); Peter Ekow Prah, 27, Bernard Amissah, 21, William Arthur, 28, and Jacob Ayensu Kumi, 18.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Andam Okyere said in January 2003, Amoo was assigned to work on the GNPC oil rig at the Sekondi Naval Base, prior to tugging the rig for repair works at a dry-dock in Brazil.

He said on February 7, this year, word got to the Naval Officer, Commander K. Addison, that some people were hiding on the rig.

According to Sergeant Okyere, Cdr Addison mobilised some naval officers to conduct a search on the rig. He said during the search the accused persons were found on the rig and they were subsequently arrested.

Sgt Okyere said Amoo stated in his statement to the police that he only assisted Prah and Amissah from whom he collected $1,800.

He added that Amoo further stated that he was not aware of the presence of the other accused persons. The prosecutor said Amoo claimed that he used $100 out of the money he collected from the two accused persons to buy food for them.