‘l do not know Eric Amoateng’- witness

The State on Tuesday presented its second prosecution witness in the case involving Eric Amoateng, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, over a forged passport.

Ms Barbara Inkum, unemployed, whose passport the accused person allegedly used to travel to Ghana was in court to testify for the State.

When asked, whether she knew the accused person, Ms Inkum said “I do not know the accused person.”

She said in 2008/09 she decided to acquire a passport, so her elder sister linked her to the cousin, who works with the Ghana Immigration Service.

The prosecution witness said during the course of their communication, the cousin called Kweku Obeng visited their house together with a friend, one Frank and was informed that Obeng has been posted to a border post but Frank could help.

She said based on that Frank gave her the procedure and she forwarded the documentation needed for the processing including a birth certificate, passport size photograph and GH¢150 to him.

“I waited hoping to hear from Frank whether the process is through but then l lost contact with Frank and Obeng,” she added.

When asked, whether she had retrieved the documents or received the processed passport, the witness said no, my Lord.

The former MP arrived in Ghana after serving a 10-year jail term in the United States over narcotic related charges.

Amoateng is alleged to have travelled to Ghana with a female Ghanaian passport number H2347080 after serving his conviction abroad.

The accused person pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail of GH¢200,000.00.

He is to report to the Police every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The case of the state was that in December 2005, the accused went to the United States. In the same month, he was arrested for possessing heroin, a narcotic drug.

Amoateng served his sentence and on July 30 he was released from prison.

DSP Dery said on August 7 the accused arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on board a Delta Airline at 1420 hours.

Going through arrival formalities it was detected that he had in his possession a Ghanaian passport number H2347080, which was allegedly forged, with the bio data page substituted.

Investigations, according to DSP Dery, revealed that Amoateng’s passport belonged to one Barbara Inkum and the said passport was issued on February 2009 a time he (Amoateng) was in prison.

The case was accordingly adjourned to November 13.