Man jailed over text messages and e-mails

Accra, Oct. 21, GNA - A marketing officer who sent text messages and e-mails threatening a woman with death after demanding GHC 5,000 from her has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by a Circuit Court in Accra. Michael Clifford Kwablah Krif pleaded guilty to threat of death and the court, presided over by Mrs. Ivy Heward-Mills sentenced him accordingly.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Aidan Dery, the prosecutor, told the court that the complainant, Ms. Lydia Alhassan a 38 year-old businesswoman who deals in pharmaceutical products in Tema, has a house help who befriended Krif.

The prosecution said Krif therefore visited the complainant's house without her consent and managed to gather some information about her. Based on that information, Krif exploited and extorted money from the complainant through blackmail and threat of death. On October 5, at about 2237 hours while Ms Alhassan, who is pregnant, was asleep, Krif composed and forwarded a text on his MTN cell phone 02440783793 to her threatening her that she would not have safe delivery unless she offered him money.

The prosecution said Krif repeated the message five times. On October 7, at about 1550 hours Krif ordered the complainant to deposit GHC 5,000 in his bank account so that her life would be spared. "Be obedient and deposit the money to avoid death. We can see you are pregnant with twins, offer us something and you will be free." The prosecution said Ms. Alhassan became alarmed and abandoned her home and offices and reported the matter to the police. On October 11, Police investigations led to Krif's arrest at his hideout at Ashaiman, near Tema, where the chip no 0240783793 was found.