Court sentences fake soldier to 10 years imprisonment

A Kumasi Circuit Court has sentenced a mechanic, who posed as a military officer and succeeded in swindling six people of GH¢9,450.00, to 10 years imprisonment.

The court presided over by Justice D.W.P. Amedior, also asked the convict, Ebenezer Baffour Asamoah, 23, to pay the money to the victims.

Asamoah was charged with impersonation and fraud but he denied the charges.

Michael Oppong, alias “Osofo,” who stood trial with him was, however, acquitted and discharged.

Police Chief Inspector James Amekah told the court that the complainants, Frank Akwasi Anin, Kwaku Baffour, Solomon Mensah, Regina Foriwaah, Portia Acheampong and Dorcas Mensah, live in different parts of Ashanti Region.

He said the convict, who posed as a soldier attached to the Fourth Infantry Battalion (4BN) in Kumasi, took money from the victims under the pretext of helping them to join the Ghana Police Service.

Chief Insp. Amekah said about two years ago, Asamoah was introduced to Foriwaah and Acheampong by a pastor of their church, as a military officer, who could help them get enlistment into the Ghana Police Service.

The court heard that the complainants expressed interest and the convict duped the two persons, and the four others, of various sums of money ranging from GH¢1,200.00 to GH¢2,500.00.

Chief Insp. Amekah said Asamoah went into hiding but run out of luck when he was spotted by one of the victims on July 5, last year, and was arrested.

The other victims on hearing of the arrest of Asamoah made complaints against him at the police station.