A businessman, Dr. Kwadwo Agyapong Berry, has petitioned the Attorney General (AG) to intervene in his kidnapping and torture case, which is currently before the court.
Dr. Berry is also urging the AG to ensure a swift trial.
He recounted enduring a 13-hour ordeal of kidnapping and torture on December 19, 2024, at Laboma Beach in Accra.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, his lawyer, James Kofi Afedo, stated that his client had lost faith in the Ghana Police Service in his pursuit of justice.
“Four weeks after the incident, the police have yet to investigate the crime scene. So, we do not know what evidence they are presenting to the court. My client has lost all hope in the police helping him get justice,” Afedo said.
He added that they had petitioned the Judicial Unit of the Police to intervene, directing that a proper investigation be conducted, the docket transferred to the Attorney General, and prosecution expedited.
“We refuse to accept claims that Albert Tetteh Botchway is so powerful that he has paid top officers to cover up the case, as he allegedly evades police scrutiny regularly,” Afedo told journalists.
He further revealed that the Judicial Police had forwarded the case to the Attorney General on the afternoon of January 29, 2025.
“This is good news for us,” he stated, adding that they plan to submit all relevant information and documents to the AG since the true details of the incident have not yet been fully presented in court.
Afedo also disclosed that they were considering filing a civil suit against the perpetrators.
“If individuals take the law into their own hands through violence and kidnappings, it would become impossible to live peacefully as citizens in this country. The culture of impunity must end. We will not let this go. What happened to my client should not happen to any citizen,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, three out of five suspects have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in Dr. Berry’s kidnapping and assault.
The accused are Albert Tetteh Botchway, 34, David Burke, 34, both businessmen, and Promise Lamptey, 29, a security guard.
Two other suspects, Awudu Balm and Katanga, remain at large.
They have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime—specifically, kidnapping and assault.
When the case was called, the first accused, Botchway, was absent but submitted a medical report as justification.
David Burke and Promise Lamptey, who were present in court, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Both were granted bail of GHC 50,000 each, with two sureties apiece.
The case has been adjourned to February 3, 2025.
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