Sacked policeman arrested for extortion

Kwabena Fosu, 35, General Lance Corporal of Ghana Police Service dismissed for stealing has been arrested by Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command for allegedly extorting money from drug peddlers at Nkrankwanta in Dormaa West District.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Robert Ayalingo, Regional Commander told newsmen in Sunyani on Tuesday that the suspect stationed at the Sunyani District Police was dismissed on July 20, last year by the Central Disciplinary Board of the Police Service.

The accused stole a car battery of an impounded vehicle at the Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit car park.

He said all police accoutrements with the suspect were retrieved after his dismissal but he refused to return some uniforms and a pair of boots, which were with his wife at Techiman.

DCOP Ayalingo said on January 19, the suspect together with one Gambo, former Community Protection Assistant, now at large hired a taxi driven by Kwadwo Danso from Sunyani to Nkrankwanta.

He said on the way the suspects dressed in police uniform arrested two people with five wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and demanded GH¢1,000 from them and threaten that if they failed to provide the money they would be sent to the police station.

DCOP Ayalingo said the alleged drug peddlers pleaded with the suspects to follow them to Berekum for the money.

He said on their way to Berekum, a police officer on duty at a police check point identified Fosu as a dismissed policeman and arrested him for being an imposter.

DCOP Ayalingo said while the policeman attempted to handcuff Fosu, the taxi driver sped off with the other occupants however, the taxi driver was spotted the following day by the policeman and was arrested and remanded into police custody, while efforts were being made to arrest Gambo to assist in investigations.