Suspect in fake escape plot for Tagor to be put before court

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Jeffery Ankrah, a 26-year-old marshal arts instructor, who was alleged to have faked an escape plot from Police custody of Kwabena Amaning, aka Tagor, was would be put before court on Thursday charged for posing as a public officer, stealing and defrauding by false pretence.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr James Annor, Osu District Police Commander, told Journalists in Accra on Wednesday that Ankrah had been identified by his former girlfriend as a fraudster, who stole a mobile phone and 43 million cedis from her and absconded. Ankrah, who resides at Mateheko in Accra, said he had talked to Tagor about his financial difficulties and, therefore, visited him to see if he could help him.

"Tagor used to visit my sister's restaurant at Adabraka and I had spoken to him about my financial difficulties. I knew he could help me because he was generous anytime he visited," Ankrah said. Media reports indicated that Ankrah had visited Tagor at the Osu Police Station to facilitate his escape.

Tagor has been remanded in Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court with four others in connection with the 77 missing parcels of cocaine on board MV Benjamin.

ASP Annor said at noon last Monday, Ankrah reported at the counter of the Osu Police Station and presented himself as a National Security operative working with Mr Francis Poku, the National Security Co-coordinator.

He said Ankrah, who looked confident, said he needed to see Tagor on a very important message.

However, Policeman on duty was not convinced about Ankrah's identity and consulted the Station Officer and they both confronted Ankrah.

The District Commander said Ankrah persisted that since it was a very "serious and top secret" there was no need to talk about it. When suspect was brought to his office they found out that Ankrah was only posing as a public officer.

Ankrah then confessed that he knew Tagor at Adabraka where he frequented his sister's restaurant and he served him (Tagor). The Commander said Ankrah said he visited Tagor at the cells to solicit for funds.

Ankrah further claimed that he had worked with Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, Former Deputy Minister of the Interior as a bodyguard. According to him he got to know Captain Effah-Dartey after he had joined his theatre group. ASP Annor said he suspected that Ankrah might have defrauded some people and appealed to such persons to call at the Police Station.