Two cops remanded for extortion

Two Policemen who allegedly threatened and extorted 3 million cedis from Alhaji Mohammed Mahay, an employee of "Love Me company Limited", have been remanded in prison custody by an Accra Circuit Tribunal.

Constable Sampson Anthony Kontomah and Constable Michael Attibu who accused Mahay of dealing in illegal exchange of currencies, arrested him and demanded 3 million before they would release him. The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and extortion will appear again on February 8.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr. Mohammed Nabon, ordered the arrest of two accomplices, Jacob Acquah, a driver and Doris Nartey, security woman. The tribunal heard that on June 6 last year, Kontomah was detailed to collect moneys at various companies at Kasoa and Osu together with Doris and Acquah both of who work with Gocrest Security Company.

Superintendent Elizabeth Allandu, prosecuting, said after the team had completed their rounds, Kontomah collected Attibu who was on duty at Amalgamated Bank near Asylum Down and proceeded to Maamobi in a pickup. She said at about 10 a.m. Mahay went to Maamobi to visit some friends, holding a handbag containing 12.4 millions intended for the purchase of iron rods and sand.

They bought some food and while eating, Kontomah and Attibu arrested them, seized the bag of money and accused them of dealing in illegal exchange of currencies. She said the accused persons ordered Mahay and his friends to board the pickup for the police station. However on the way Kontomah and Attibu extorted three million cedis from Mahay before releasing them and the handbag.

Superintendent Allandu said when Mahay and his colleagues got to their base, they found that the money in the bag was short by 6 million cedis. They reported the case to the police and the accused persons were arrested. During investigations they admitted taking three million cedis from Mahay but denied removing any other money from the handbag. Meanwhile Kontomah has refunded one million cedis whiles Attibu also refunded 884,000 cedis. Acquah and Doris have also refunded 500,000 cedis and 700,000 cedis respectively.