Okudzeto Ablakwa's Sister Arrested In America

Mercy Ablakwa, the younger sister of Deputy Minister of Information Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been arrested in the United States of America (USA) for forgery.

Mercy, who is 22-years-old, is currently facing criminal prosecution. Documents available to the Daily Guide newspaper indicate that Mercy, a student of Charleston University in West Virginia, was arrested on October 7, 2011 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and was subsequently charged for the offence of Forgery-Uttering under section 943.38 of the statutes of the State of Wisconsin.

A criminal case was filed against Mercy in court on October 9, 2011, two days after her arrest, where the charge of forgery-uttering was preferred against her.

Daily guide gathered that the charge of forgery-uttering is classified as Felony under the laws of Wisconsin and that a guilty verdict could see Mercy receiving a fine of up to $10,000 or an imprisonment of up to 6 years or both.

Checks by the paper have also established that Mercy Ablakwa got admission into Charleston University in West Virginia in the immediate aftermath of the assumption of office of the Mills/Mahama-led NDC administration and is still a student in the University.

Mercy, who turns 23 this year, has the same mother as the Deputy Minister but the two have different fathers. Though attempts to reach Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakws for his comments proved unsuccessful since he failed to answer his phone, sources said he is well aware of his sister’s arrest as he was put in the know hours after she was busted.

He is said to have expressed concern that it may dent his image as a government official, especially considering the fact that he is contesting the North Tongu constituency primaries of the NDC. Our sources around the Ministry of Information and friends of the Deputy Minister indicate that Mr. Ablakwa is conscious of the fact that this case could be a huge arsenal for his opponents in the race, including the sitting Member of Parliament, Charles Hodogbey, who has been fighting him for the party’s parliamentary ticket for the area.

It is alleged that since travelling to the United States, Mercy Ablakwa has maintained a close relationship with her brother, the Deputy Minister, who was said to have facilitated the trip. Daily Guide’s sources in Wisconsin said top lawyers in the state are defending the sister of the deputy minister.

Mercy is scheduled to reappear in court on February 1, 2012.