Five Policemen now face extortion charges

Accra, Sept. 25, GNA - Five Policemen, who were accused of abetting with one Sheriff to offload the missing 77 parcels of cocaine from the MV Benjamin Vessel at Kpone, near Tema have now been charged with extortion.

Appearing before an Accra Circuit Court on Monday, Chief State Attorney Mr Cab Bayou withdrew the charge of abetment of crime and substituted it with a charge of extortion.


The Policemen - Detective Sergeant Samuel Amoah; General Sergeant Daniel Nyarko; Detective Lance Corporal Dwamena Yabson; General Sergeant Isaac Asante and General Lance Corporal Peter Bondorin - pleaded not guilty.


The Court after listening to submissions of their various counsel admitted them to bail in the sum of 300 million cedis with a surety each.


They would reappear on November 2, 2006. Arguing for bail, Mr Musah Ahmed, who represented Amoah, Nyarko and Bondorin denied the charge and observed that the Prosecution had not stated the amount his clients took from the said Sheriff aka "Limping Man."


Mr Ahmed asked the Court to grant bail to his clients saying the offence under which they had been charged was a misdemeanour. He said his clients were all Policemen who lived at the Police barracks and "we live under the watchful eyes of the District Commanders, where rules govern us and there is no way we would escape from the barracks". According to him, there was no way his clients would interfere with investigations or commit similar offence.


Mr James Enu, who held the brief of Mr Korang Asabere, on behalf of Yabson said his client was diagnosed of extensive hypertension and an enlarged heart and prayed the Court to grant him bail. Mr Enu said because of Yabson's peculiar condition, he needed regular and consistent attention saying his continued incarceration would jeopardize his life.

He said his client was ready to provide sufficient security to appear before the Court any time.


Representing Asante, Mr Benard Ahiafor submitted that looking at their positions, the Court in admitting them to bail should do so on self-recognisance.


The Prosecution did not contest the application for bail. The facts are that on April 26, 2006, accused persons, stationed at Tema New Town, Community One, Tema and Kpone had information that one Sherriff now at large was taking delivery of parcels of cocaine at Kpone beach, near Tema.


The accused persons mobilized themselves to arrest Sheriff. They went and saw the parcels but on the contrary closed their eyes. The Prosecution said the accused persons went on a ride in Sheriff's vehicle to his residence where they took some money and allowed him to go.


The Prosecution stated further that their acts contravened the laws of the State and would lead evidence to prove their case. The missing of the 77 parcels of cocaine had led to extensive investigation and publicity leading to the establishment of the Justice Georgina Wood Committee which has recently submitted its report. The case has led to some Senior Police Officers being implicated. Some suspects are appearing before an Accra High Court. 25 Sept. 06