Technician in court for forging Minister's signature

Accra, June 4, GNA - An auto-technician, who forged the letterhead of Parliament and the signature of Tourism Minister, Mr. Jake Obetsebi -Lamptey to secure two visas from Egyptian and Brazilian Embassies was on Friday put before an Accra Circuit Court.

Theophilus Lamptey, was said to have also acted as the son of Mr. Obetsibi-Lamptey to carry out his nefarious activities.

Theophilus, charged with forgery, possessing and altering official documents pleaded guilty with explanation before the court presided over by Mrs. Elizabeth Ankomah.

Police Chief Inspector George Abavelim prayed the court to remand the accused to enable the police conduct further investigations as to whether he had committed further acts at any of the Embassies.

The court granted prosecution's submission and remanded Theophilus in prison custody to reappear on June 11.

The case of prosecution was that Theophilus resides at Laterbiokoshie a suburb of Accra. On May 24, this year, he forged the signature of the Minister of Tourism, and the letterhead of Parliament after which he forwarded them to Egypt and Brazil Embassies, requesting them to grant visas to the suspect as the son of the Minister.

The Embassies granted the visas to the suspect and later sent a letter of confirmation to the Minister, informing him that his request had been granted.

Prosecution said the Minister realizing that he had been impersonated reported the matter to the police. Theophilus was arrested and during interrogation, he admitted the offence.

Meanwhile, the further investigations were being conducted into similar letters allegedly submitted to the Embassies of China, Lebanon and Japan.