Police probe kidnapper’s allegation

Daily Guide has gathered that the Western Regional Police Command has launched full-scale investigations into allegations by the Nigerian suspected kidnapper, Samuel Udoetuk Wills that an officer from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) aided him to escape from police cells.

The 28-year-old suspect, who escaped from police cells in Takoradi made the startling revelation last Monday when he appeared before a Takoradi Magistrate court.

The suspect escaped from the Takoradi Police cells on December 30, 2018 and was re-arrested in an uncompleted building located between Kansaworodo and Nkroful in Sekondi-Takoradi at about 1:00am on Friday, January 4, 2019.

He told the Takoradi Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr. Michael Ampadu, on Monday that he would be able to identify the CID man when given the opportunity.

The Western Regional Police Command has set up a three-member team, headed by the Deputy Regional Crime Officer, Supt Alhaji Husein Awinaba to investigate the matter.

DSP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), confirmed the formation of the investigation team in an interview with DAILY GUIDE.

According to her, “The suspect made an allegation but the police need to look into it to know whether it is true or not, so the three-member team has started its work.”

Suspect Accepts Charges

Samuel Udoetuk Wills accepted the charge of escaping from lawful custody and causing damage, but denied resisting police arrest when he appeared before the court on Monday.

He has already said in his caution statement that one Kwesi brought him a hacksaw blade and oil to cut open the iron rod protecting the small window that provides ventilation to escape, but the policeman’s angle never came up until last Monday.

He was subsequently charged with three counts of escaping from lawful custody, causing unlawful damage and resisting arrest.

However, when the Nigerian suspected kidnapper appeared before the Takoradi Magistrate Court on Monday, he denied resisting police arrest.

When he was given the opportunity to speak, the suspect said that the oil provided him by the said Kwesi helped to reduce the noise generated as a result of cutting the iron rod.

After narrating his side of the story, the judge told the suspect that even though he pleaded not guilty, evidence has shown that he caused damage to the property.

When the court asked the suspect whether he had witnesses in the case, Samuel Udoetuk Wills replied that his witness is the Kwesi he mentioned earlier.

“In Ghana when you mention Kwesi you have not said anything because I am also Kwesi and there are so many Kwesis; so which Kwesi are you talking about?” the judge asked him.

The judge gave the suspect one week to produce the said Kwesi in court to testify, adding “if he fails, I will give my judgment.”

He then adjourned the case to February 18, 2019.