Suspect in fake plot for Tagor escape remanded

Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - The court trying a 26-year-old marshal arts instructor, who allegedly faked an escape plot from Police custody of a suspected drug baron, Kwabena Amaning, aka Tagor, on Tuesday adjourned the case to October 23 to rule on whether to grant him bail. Jeffery Ankrah has no counsel and the Prosecution does not want him to be granted bail. Police Inspector Jacob R. Kwao-Deho told the James Town Magistrate's Court on Tuesday that if the accused, were granted bail, he would not appear to stand trial.

Quoting authorities to support his point, the Prosecutor said "the court shall refuse bail if there are indications that the accused may not appear to stand trial or may commit further offences". According to Inspector Kwao-Deho the accused was brought earlier before the same court in a fraud case and disappeared as soon as he was admitted to bail.

He said the Police at Osu were currently handling another case involving the accused. The Prosecutor said he was ready with his witnesses to commence trial.

Ankrah has pleaded not guilty to falsely pretending to be a public officer.

The Prosecution said at noon on September 26, Ankrah reported at the counter of the Osu Police Station and presented himself as a national security operative working with Mr Francis Poku, Minister of National Security.

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

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

They both confronted Ankrah, who persisted that since it was a very "serious and top secret" there was no need to talk about it. Later 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). Ankrah said he had visited Tagor at the cells to solicit for funds. Tagor is in Police custody with four others in connection with the missing 77 parcels of cocaine on board MV Benjamin, vessel that docked at the Tema Harbour.