Ex-military personnel kidnaps debtor

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA 96 An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday granted bail to a man, who allegedly kidnapped another man for failing to pay the debt he owed him. He was granted bail in the sum of 100 million cedis with one surety.

Prosper Awuku, 37, pleaded not guilty to kidnapping Kofi Affram and would appear on October 18 for hearing.

His other accomplice, Evans Essilfie Kobby, a taxi driver, was charged with careless driving, negligently causing harm and failing to produce his driving documents and was convicted on his own plea and fined an amount of six million cedis or nine months' imprisonment in default.

Kobby, who is now being used as Prosecution Witness, denied knowing Awuku and the other four occupants, including Affram, in his taxicab. "I don't know him, neither Affram nor any of the occupants. I picked them as passengers in the course of my work.=94

He said he picked Awuku from Accra Central to Lapaz and demanded his money but Awuku told him to take him to Fadama where three other persons joined the cab.

Mr Joseph Turkson, Counsel for Awuku admitted that "the mode and conduct used by my client in collecting his money was not proper. This conduct will not be repeated and prayed the court to grant his client bail.

Police Chief Inspector Ben Darfour, the Prosecutor, told the Court that last month, Awuku and three others now at large hired the taxi of Kobby to take him to Fadama in Accra. While driving to Fadama, Awuku introduced himself to Kobby as military personnel. Chief Inspector Darfour said when they arrived at Fadama three persons including Awuku went to a near-by house and arrested and kidnapped Affram and Kobby was instructed to drive to Burma Camp. However, on the way Kobby was again instructed by Awuku to change route to Accra Central. While on the Kanda Highway Kobby failed to observe pedestrian crossing and in the process knocked down a 60 year-old-man.

The Prosecution said Kobby pretended as if he was stopping after the accident but sped off. He was given a chase by a motor rider and the cab was intercepted around the Electoral Commission area. He said Affram and Kobby were arrested and brought to the Accra Central Police Station but the three occupants including Awuku escaped. During interrogation Kobby stated that he was advised by the Awuku and the three others, who hired him not to stop because he would be lynched.

Chief Inspector Darfour said on September 18, Afram saw Awuku at the Cocoa Affairs Court and identified him to the Police as the person, who kidnapped him.

When Awuku was brought to the Charge Office, Kobby also identified him as one of the occupants of his cab who went to effect the arrest and kidnap of Affram.