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Alhaji Hearts, two others granted bail

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 Source: GNA

Accra Aug. 20, GNA - Alhaji Suleman Briamah, a board member of the Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club, who is being held with two others on alleged money laundering offences was on Wednesday admitted GH¢ 25,000 bail with a surety each when they made their second appearance at a Circuit Court in Accra.

Alhaji Brimah, aka Alhaji Hearts, and his accomplices Claribel Ewurasi Kinsful, a cabin crew member of Ghana International Airlines and Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, a driver, have been charged with conspiracy. While Alhaji Hearts and Tijani have been additionally charged with abetment of crime, to wit, aiding and abetting money laundering, Claribel has also been charged with concealment of 59,870 pounds sterling.

They have pleaded not guilty.

Admitting them to bail, the court, presided over by Mr Nathaniel Osam ordered them to report to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) every Monday.

Mr Kwame Akuffo, one of the defence counsel, prayed the court to admit the accused persons to bail since the money in issue was in the custody of the state.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr George Abavelim told court that though investigations were ongoing, he would not object to the court's decision to grant the accused persons bail. The court obliged and ordered them to reappear on September 10.

ASP Abavelim said Claribel's flight arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on Friday August 8 and during a random search conducted by security officials of the Airline, a sum of 59,870 pounds sterling was found concealed in two of her bags.

When she was interrogated, she disclosed that the money was given to her by one George in the United Kingdom to be delivered to someone in Accra.

According to her, George informed her that on her arrival in Accra someone would call her and come for the money.

The prosecution said Claribel, however, refused to provide information on George and in her caution statement she admitted transacting several businesses with said George.

On August 14, this year while investigations were going on, Alhaji Hearts and Tijani went to the BNI headquarters to claim ownership of the money.

The prosecution said Alhaji Hearts indicated that he sent 50,000 pounds sterling to Tijani to buy him a house about one-and-a-half years ago but when Tijani was also interrogated he claimed Alhaji Hearts brought the money to him in the United Kingdom about one-and-a-half years ago.

Prosecution said due to the discrepancies in the two statements, further investigations would be conducted.

Source: GNA