Two prison officers before a tribunal over escape of convict

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA - Two prison officers who allegedly aided the escape of an ex-convict, Yaw Asamaoh at the premises of Greater Accra Regional Tribunal were on Wednesday put before the tribunal.

The officers, Assistant Chief Officer Godfred Asah, 57, and Corporal Nana Appiah Kubi, 32, have pleaded not guilty to aiding an escape.

The Greater Accra Regional Tribunal presided over by Mr Justice P.K. Aggrey after considering circumstance of the case, submission of the defence counsel and case of prosecution admitted them to bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with two sureties each.

They would re-appear on November 16.

Mr Alexander Abban, defence counsel prayed the court to admit them to bail. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) E.Y. Frimpong told the tribunal that accused persons were prison officers' stationed at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons.

On October 27 this year, the escapee, Asamoah, who is also an ex-convict, was under their escort to High Court "7". The prosecutor said the escapee was serving 20 years imprisonment at the prisons for robbery and was facing another charge of rape, robbery and murdering Pastor Nii Arday of the Light House Chapel, before the High Court.

According to the prosecutor, the two prison officers arrived at the High Court with the convict when the court was not in session. The accused persons, the prosecutor said removed the handcuffs on Asamoah aged 30, without a guard, and he took advantage and escaped.

This information got to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command and the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Atinga Bio and a team of police officers visited the scene. DSP Frimpong said on the spot investigations confirmed escape of the convict.

"The Ghana Prisons Service however handed them over for prosecution," the prosecutor said.