Ms. Dogbe’s committal followed a presentation by Anthony Ghattie of the Office of the State Attorney in Ho.

Presenting the facts of the case, Mr. Ghattie informed the court that Theresa Dogbe’s case was an indictment that required a High Court to adjudicate.

According to the State Attorney’s office, the case was transferred from the Jasikan District Court to Ho on the orders of the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, following a petition by the complainant, Madam Mercy Tetteh, of Attakrom Buem in the Jasikan Municipality, dating back to May 1, 2020.

Facts of the Case

According to the prosecution, Mercy Tetteh and her daughter set off to their farm, with Mercy carrying a machete on her head.

Unbeknownst to her, Theresa Dogbe, who was pregnant at the time, emerged from an uncompleted building, seized the machete from her head, slashed her knee and upper abdomen, and fled the scene.

The daughter, upon seeing her mother bleeding profusely, ran back to the community to raise an alarm. Some neighbors, alerted by the cries for help, rushed the victim to the Jasikan Police Station.

Upon arrival at the police station, a female officer directed them to take Mercy Tetteh to the Jasikan Government Hospital, where she was immediately rushed to the theatre for urgent medical attention.

After her discharge, Mercy Tetteh officially reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of Theresa Dogbe.

The suspect was subsequently arraigned before the Jasikan District Court. However, she was granted bail due to her pregnancy, and the case suffered several adjournments.

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Frederick Donkor, 18, who is popularly known as K2, was charged with unlawful entry and stealing, and he pleaded guilty before the court presided over by Mr. Isaac Osei Asare.

After the judgment, Mr. Asare advised Donkor to stop engaging in unproductive lifestyles that could affect his future and instead work on becoming a better person after serving his sentence.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Enoch Assan-Donkoh said the complainant, a 21-year-old cocoa purchasing clerk, resides at Aboso Nsuaem.

He said on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, the complainant, after the close of work, locked his door and retired to bed.

It was then that Donkor decided to break into homes in the Aboso Nsuaem vicinity, believing many people would be attending church since it was the last day of the year. Upon reaching the complainant’s house, he managed to open the door with a knife.

The prosecution said Donkor sneaked into the room without the complainant noticing his presence and stole an amount of GH¢2,500, a Jordan sneaker boot, a Samsung Galaxy A21, a Samsung Galaxy 8 Edge, and an iPhone X mobile phone, all valued at GH¢9,700.

According to Sergeant Assan-Donkoh, the complainant woke up the next morning and realized the aforementioned items had been stolen, then made a report at the Wassa Aboso police station.

He said the police arrested Donkor while the investigation was ongoing, and they retrieved the complainant’s mobile phones, though one was damaged.

The prosecution noted that Donkor failed to provide the money and the Jordan sneaker boot, and after investigations, he was put before the court.

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He will serve his sentence at the Senior Correctional Centre.

Before receiving his sentence, the teary convict pleaded with the court for forgiveness, saying, “It was not my intention to kill my dear friend and to end his life this way. I pray the court will forgive all my sins and give me a second chance.”

He further pleaded for forgiveness from the deceased’s father, stating, “I have played with Ishmael (the deceased) for a very long time. I never planned to kill him. It was the devil.”

The presiding judge, Bernice Mensimah Ackon, explained that the juvenile convict was arrested in April 2021 and will be 19 this year. She added that the 15-year-old had been on remand for three years and two months.

According to the judge, under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (ACT 653), the juvenile has already served a sentence of three years.

However, due to the gravity of the offence and the juvenile’s stated intention to pursue a technical vocation after dropping out of school at Basic 6, the court sentenced him to 12 months at a senior correctional centre to help him achieve his vocational goals.

Background

In October of the previous year, a seven-member jury found the two teenagers guilty on two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and the substantive charge of murder. The High Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, sentenced the 18-year-old, Nicholas Kini, to life in prison.

The sentencing of the 15-year-old, however, was deferred to the Juvenile Court in line with Section 18(1) of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (ACT 653), which states that where a juvenile appears before a court of summary jurisdiction other than a juvenile court for a charge made jointly with a person over 18, the juvenile’s case must be remitted to a juvenile court for sentencing.

Since then, the 15-year-old has been kept in police custody awaiting sentencing.

Prosecution’s Facts

According to the prosecution, on March 29, 2021, the accused persons consulted a spiritualist for money rituals, locally known as “sakawa”. The spiritualist, who claimed to be from the Volta Region, allegedly requested GH¢5,000 and a human being for the ritual.

On April 3, 2021, the accused decided to use the deceased in furtherance of their “sakawa” mission. Around 9 a.m. on the same day, the juvenile accused lured the deceased into an uncompleted building where the second accused was waiting with a pickaxe club.

“As soon as the deceased arrived, they told him to remove a video game from a sack they had placed in a corner of the room. When the deceased bent down to remove the video game, the second accused struck him on the back of the neck with the club, causing him to fall,” said Nana Osei, the prosecutor.

The deceased, now unconscious but still breathing, turned to the juvenile accused and pleaded for his life, asking for forgiveness if he had offended him. The plea was ignored as the juvenile accused struck the deceased’s head with a cement block.

The accused persons then used a spade and shovel to dig a shallow grave and buried the deceased, intending to transport him to the spiritualist.

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The attack occurred on Sunday, October 19, while the journalist was documenting environmental destruction associated with Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, January 20, Mr. Asare disclosed that the hearing of the case had been adjourned to February 12, 2025, due to technical reasons.

He confirmed that six suspects had been identified and are set to face legal proceedings.

“At this point, we are dealing with six—so far six,” he revealed, adding that approximately ten individuals had attacked him during the incident. Among these, two suspects have been specifically identified as participants in the assault.

Mr. Asare also highlighted the theft of several personal items during the attack. “I have been requesting information about the missing items, but they are telling us that they don’t have any updates.

As we speak, the five drone batteries, the JBL headset, my Joy-branded jacket containing my ID card, visa cards, and other belongings are still with them, and we have no information on their whereabouts,” he explained.

The journalist noted the psychological toll of the ordeal, acknowledging that it had instilled some fear within his team. Nevertheless, he asserted their determination to continue their work.

“It has not dampened our spirit to the point of giving up, no! It’s our job, and we believe we must press on and fight to the end to ensure that our polluted waters and pillaged forests are restored,” he said resolutely.

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The suspects include one of the drivers and two driver-mates of the three heavy-duty trucks carrying 1,473 maxi bags of cocoa beans covered with lumber.

The suspects have since been granted bail and are assisting in police investigations. Two other suspects, both drivers involved in the crime, are still at large.

The Anti-Smuggling Task Force of COCOBOD intercepted trucks with registration numbers GR 7237-21, GR-314-24, and AS 5278-23 at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District.

Briefing the media in Sunyani, Michael P.K. Asumanu, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional Administrator of COCOBOD, said the task force comprised the police, National Investigations Bureau, National Security, and COCOBOD.

He said the seized trucks were sent to the Bono Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani for safekeeping, while COCOBOD took custody of the cocoa beans, as no one had claimed ownership.

Mr. Asumanu said smuggling causes huge economic losses to the nation, as cocoa significantly contributes to the economy. He urged the public to support the fight against the smuggling of cocoa beans, stating, “We design rewards for informants.”

The Acting Bono Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Emmanuel Ntiako, later told the Ghana News Agency that the agency was also assessing the lumber.

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Emmanuel Atta, 36, a farmer and returnee from Libya, was killed at Antwirifo in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region after allegedly murdering his six-year-old son, Jonathan Adu Jack.

The incident reportedly began when Emmanuel asked his wife, Stella, to cook rice for him. While Stella sent for rice and Emmanuel borrowed oil from a neighbor, he suddenly began breaking the cooking pot while the food was being prepared.

Alarmed by his behavior, Stella fled the house with their four children.

Emmanuel chased the family and fatally attacked Jonathan with a machete.

Following the murder, Emmanuel fled and hid in the community.

However, when an immigration officer attempted to force him out of his hiding place, Emmanuel attacked the officer.

In the ensuing struggle, the officer’s gun discharged, fatally shooting Emmanuel in the head.

Both bodies have been deposited at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital morgue as investigations continue.

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Eric Boampong pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery and was convicted on his own plea by the court, presided over by Mrs. Gloria Mensah Bonsu.

Police Detective Inspector Alexander Agbekpornu, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant, Roudy Aboagye Agyemang, was a level 400 student of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) and a resident of Abrafo Kokobeng.

The convict is a resident of Atwima Koforidua.

Inspector Agbekpornu stated that on January 10 of this year, at about 2:00 a.m., the convict broke into the room of the complainant while she was asleep.

The prosecution said that the complainant woke up and saw the convict trying to take away her iPhone 7, valued at GH¢1,200. She tried to resist, but the convict, who was armed with two pairs of scissors, a plier, a spanner, and a magnetic substance, threatened to kill her if she resisted.

Inspector Agbekpornu stated that the complainant, sensing danger, handed over the iPhone to the convict, rushed out, and shouted for help.

Some neighbours responded and managed to arrest the convict, handing him over to the Akropong Police.

In his caution statement, the convict admitted the offence, and after further investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.

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The accused, Abass Yaya, 48, and Mamatha Kassim, 52, both traders, face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretences.

They have pleaded not guilty.

The court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, remanded Yaya into police custody and granted bail to Kassim in the amount of GH¢300,000 with two sureties.

The case has been adjourned to January 28, 2025.

Chief Inspector Daniel Danku informed the court that the complainant, Baba Yakubu Mahama, was approached by Yaya in May 2022, who offered a parcel of land at Ofankor for sale.

Yaya and Kassim led the complainant to the land, which she (Kassim), claimed to own.

The complainant, after taking coordinates of the land, searched the lot to ascertain the owner.

A few days later, Yaya allegedly called and pressured the complainant to make payment quickly, claiming that other people were interested in purchasing the land.

Yaya demanded and received GH¢320,000 from the complainant, assuring him they would hand over the land and its relevant documents.

However, after receiving the money, the couple went into hiding, and the complainant was unable to get the documents.

The prosecution said upon further investigation, the complainant realized he had been deceived.

A report was made to the police at Nima, and on December 16, 2024, the accused were arrested from their respective hideouts.

During questioning, both Yaya and Kassim admitted to the offence in their caution statements.

They also confessed to selling the same parcel of land to two other individuals and giving the original documents to a third buyer.

However, the accused failed to assist the police in locating the other buyers or accomplices involved in the scheme.

Kassim told the police that she collected the GH¢320,000 from the complainant on Yaya’s instructions.

She said that her husband had asked her to pretend to be the landowner and handed the money over to him.

The incident occurred between Ayeldo and Sekyerew-Nyakumasi Ahenkuro’s deplorable road around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Victims of the robbery, who spoke about the incident, shared a “terrifying experience about the robbery.” They reported that after being robbed, they were also viciously beaten for not having enough money on them.

One of the survivors, a sprinter driver with registration number GW-6775-24, recounted his ordeal: “I slowed down at a pothole between Ayeldo and Sekyerew around 7 p.m., and a man with a torchlight signaled me to stop. As I struggled to open the driver’s door, I heard a gunshot.”

According to some of the victims, the armed robbers made away with a substantial amount of cash, including ¢17,000, ¢12,000, and GH¢1,800. The victims were then forced to lie down during the ordeal.

The Abura Aseibu Kwamankese (AAK) District Police patrol team arrived at the scene, calmed the situation, and pledged to investigate the robbery to the latter. They also assured the public of enhanced security patrols in the area.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, involved unidentified persons storming the company’s warehouse, sites, and offices.

Reports indicate that the attackers ordered workers on duty to vacate the premises, seizing their mobile phones before beginning their rampage.

A visit to the site revealed significant damage, including stolen finished salt products and vandalized trucks. Items such as pumps, motorbikes, car tires, and other equipment were also reported missing.

The Ada Divisional Police Commander, ACP Joseph Atsu Dzineku, confirmed the attacks in an interview, explaining the delay in arrests despite the scale of the incident.

Electrochem’s Operations Manager, Nene Ode-Opio Siada, lamented the extensive damage caused by the attack.

He disclosed that CCTV footage captured the large number of individuals involved.

“The company has been hit hard. This is a severe blow to us,” he said.

In a related development, some residents of Boni-Kope have reportedly been assaulted in what appears to be a follow-up incident linked to the attack on the company.

Police investigations are ongoing as authorities work to track down the perpetrators and restore order in the area.

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The bungalow houses teachers of Nkyenekyene Presbyterian Basic School.

Information gathered by Adom News’ correspondent, Akwasi Dwamena, indicates that the mentally challenged man has been in the town for about a week.

Since his arrival—from an unknown location—he had been staying around the bungalow, but it is unclear what caused him to set the facility on fire.

The devastating incident has shaken the community, leaving the occupants, who have lost all their belongings, in grief.

Speaking in an interview, the teachers disclosed that it may be difficult for them to continue living in the town.

They have also appealed to individuals, non-governmental organizations, and the government to come to their aid.

Meanwhile, some residents have appealed to relevant stakeholders to support the teachers urgently so the incident does not affect academic work.

The suspect has been apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation.

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Eric reportedly butchered his 32-year-old wife, Ayisha Mununi, after accusing her of cheating on him at Awutu Bawjiase in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region.

Ayisha denied the accusation, but it led to a heated argument.

Police sources told Adom News that amidst the argument, Eric went into his brother’s room, pulled a cutlass, and butchered Ayisha, killing her instantly.

Information gathered by Adom News suggests the couple reside in Accra but came to Bawjiase to celebrate the Christmas festivities with Eric’s senior brother.

The couple have been married for over a decade and are blessed with three beautiful children.

The suspect is currently behind bars at the Bawjiase District Police Command while the body has been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary.

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Kouku was charged with defilement. He pleaded not guilty.

However, after going through a full trial, the court presided over by Dora Eshun, found Kouku guilty of defiling the minor.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, presented evidence that Kouku met the victim while she was walking home with her luggage and forcibly had unprotected sex with her in the complainant’s corridor.

The victim is the daughter of the complainant, a 63-year-old security man residing in Accra.

Kouku is currently unemployed and was the complainant’s neighbor.

On July 31, 2024, at about 1400 hours, the victim arrived in Accra from her mother’s place at Kasoa in the Central Region to spend holidays with the complainant.

While the victim was walking home with her luggage, Kouku met her on the way and engaged in a conversation.

Through the conversation, the prosecution said Kouku got to know that the complainant had left her work.

The court heard that Kouku followed the victim to the complainant’s house and forcibly had unprotected sex with the victim in the complainant’s corridor.

The prosecution said, however, the same day, in the evening, the complainant returned home from work and noticed changes in the way the victim walked.

When the complainant quizzed the victim, she narrated her ordeal to him.

On August 2, 2024, the complainant mobilised his friends, arrested, and handed Kouku to the Police.

When questioned by the Police, Kouku denied the offense in his investigation caution statement.

The prosecution said a Police medical form was issued to the complainant to send the victim to the hospital for examination and treatment.

The medical report, endorsed by Dr. Prince E. M. Daitey, Clinical Care Coordinator at Maamobi General Hospital, Accra, indicated that there was evidence of “forceful vaginal penetration and evidence of sexual assault.”

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The arrests were made by the National Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Task Force with assistance from the Nketepa community watchdog committee, leading to the seizure of two Kia trucks loaded with 400 bags of cocoa that were set to be smuggled into Togo.

The suspects, who were in the process of offloading the cocoa bags onto a waiting canoe for further transportation, attempted to flee upon noticing the approaching task force team but were swiftly apprehended after a brief chase.

In a media briefing, Bosu Yaw, the Assembly Member for the Nketepa electoral area, called for increased support for the community watchdog committee to strengthen their surveillance efforts.

“We received a tip-off that truckloads of goods were being brought to Nketepa, and we suspected the government was unaware of what was being brought into the community. When these trucks arrive, they park by the seaside and unload sacks of cocoa onto boats, sometimes three or more at a time, before transporting them away. We intercepted one of these trucks and found it loaded with cocoa. The manner in which they were going about it raised our suspicions that it was smuggling, so we immediately alerted our leaders,” he said.

Anthony Ablor, the leader of the Nketepa watchdog committee, emphasized the challenges faced by the group, citing the constant threat of armed robbers and smugglers in the area. He reiterated the need for greater collaboration with security agencies to protect their community.

“As part of our duties as a watchdog committee, we regularly face threats from armed robbers. We urgently appeal to the government to provide us with motorbikes to help us carry out our responsibilities more effectively in protecting the community,” he stated.

Between May and June 2024, the National Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce’s intensified surveillance efforts led to the arrest of over 20 individuals and the confiscation of thousands of cocoa bags in the Kwahu enclave, which were being smuggled into neighboring Togo.

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Hope Nunekpeku, 21, is also facing an additional charge of preparation to commit crime, both of which he has denied.

He will make his next appearance on January 6, 2025.

Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice only named as Dickson, is on the run.

Police Chief Inspector Salifu Nashiru told the Court presided over by Ms Anid Marful-Sau, that the Complainant in this case was a driver staying at Opah whilst Nunekpeku, the accused person was an Okada rider staying at Sapeiman near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region.

He said on December 4, 2023, at about 2130 hours, the complainant after close of work parked his Sprinter Benz bus by the roadside at Shikpontele, waiting to deliver money and provisions to his wife, a witness in this case.

Chief Inspector Nashiru said as he was removing the items from the vehicle, he spotted a motorbike approaching the door on the driver’s side.

Both persons on the motorbike were watching inside the vehicle, the Court heard.

Prosecution said the complainant became suspicious as such he questioned them.

The motorbike went ahead and parked in front of the vehicle and not long after, the witness appeared behind them and joined the husband inside the vehicle.

Chief Inspector Nashiru said the couple were watching the accused persons closely on the motorbike.

He said Nunekpeku, who was the pillion rider then, removed an implement from his clothing.

This prompted the complainant to move the vehicle towards them but the motorbike sped off into the darkness, Prosecution told the Court.

The complainant thus alerted Police motorbike team which were on patrols in the area, he said.

Chief Inspector Nashiru said the team followed the lead and accused person was arrested with a machete hidden in his T-shirt.

Prosecution said the complainant identified Nunekpeku as the pillion rider and he was escorted to the Amasaman Divisional CID where a formal complaint was made, adding that Dickson had managed to escape on the get-away motorbike.

In his cautioned statement, Nunekpeku mentioned his accomplice’s name only as Dickson but failed to lead the Police to him.

After investigation, he was charged with the offences.

Her son had warned her of the danger and asked her to close that chapter – it was a scam, the romance type.

She paid heed briefly and paused the chats, but in no time she was back and falling deeper into the danger that posed as love.

She followed up on her would-be kidnappers’ charm and landed in Accra, Ghana, where she had been directed, and then became a prisoner, caged in demand for ransoms she was finding too difficult to secure.

But the kidnappers were clear: You get us the cash or you are going nowhere.

On Tuesday, December 17, the Magistrate Court at Adabraka remanded two of the alleged kidnappers into police custody to reappear on January 9, 2025. The police, in the meantime, are on the heels of other suspected gang members.

Here is how this intriguing romance scam unfolded, per investigator’s records.

Dateline: Crestline, California, 2023: Diana Christine Nelson, born Nov 23, 1944, while on Facebook, met a man she believed was Mark Harmon, the American actor, for that is how this man identified himself.

His real name however, is Emmanuel Adeboye, a Nigerian and now the key suspect in this elaborate romance scam.

Adeboye had requested friendship, and soon he was chatting his way into Diana’s heart.

Over time their chats became very engaging, and Diana was head over heels in this new love chapter opening in her life.

So enduring were the chats that her online engagement could not escape the attention of her son, Blake Medina.

A momentary pry was enough for him – mom, you must stay away, this is a scam.

Diana appeared to have heeded the good counsel and put a halt to it, however, by June 2024, she was back at it as her lover kept sending love notes.

The pair continued their virtual romance, culminating, upon the insistence of Adeboye, aka Mark Harmon, in Diana travelling to Accra, Ghana, via Delta flight 156 from JFK to Kotoka on November 22.

Adeboye had sent her the image of a fake $25,000 cheque with which he had waived away any challenges with financing their love life. With that difficulty ‘resolved’, Adeboye convinced Diana to facilitate a reverse mortgage on her home and she obtained $15,000, some of which she used to acquire a passport and facilitate her travel.

On the travel date, Adeboye had promised to pick her up at the Kotoka International Airport, instead, it was Esther, now a suspect and also remanded in police custody, who showed up.

She is alleged to have told the old lady that she had been instructed by Adeboye to fetch her home where he would soon join her. Diana obliged, and together with Esther were chauffeured to a ‘penthouse’ in Tema, near Accra.

That ‘penthouse’, Diana’s description of her new home, was to be her ‘prison.’

Mark Harmon (Adeboye) never showed up even at the Penthouse, instead, he communicated with her via phone.

Soon Diana was stripped of her phones, tablets and any gadgets, as well as her cash. She was restrained, and occasionally if she was taken out, it would be in the company of a couple of men and Esther. She was not allowed to interact with anyone.

Medina, Diana’s son, last saw his mom on November 16 and was not aware she had travelled. On November 30, he discovered that her mom’s house was listed for sale online. He went to check on her and then discovered his mom had travelled to Ghana.

Sell the house
Medina began contacting her mom via text, until December 2 when he received a call from her. She told him he needed to speak to someone else and Adeboye’s voice came on the line.

In the meantime Diana Nelson was trying frantically via voice calls to raise money from other family members and claiming she was being held against her will and was not free to leave.

Adeboye (pretending to be someone else and assuming French accent), told Medina that his mom and her partner, Mark Harmon, had been detained in Ghana while attempting to go to Cape Town (South Africa) with undeclared gold and diamonds.

He claimed Diana Nelson was rescued by Harmon’s friends but Harmon remained incarcerated in Ghana and that numerous expenses were made hence the need for the $150,000.

When Medina said he could not provide the money, Adeboye instructed him to sell his mother’s house and thus raise the funds, to which instruction Medina said he could not execute without his mother’s physical presence to sign the paperwork.

Medina then requested his mother be allowed to return so he could settle the debt but Adeboye insisted without the payment she was going nowhere.

He called after an hour and asked if he understood what he had told him and handed the phone to Diana Nelson.

A now sorry Diana apologised to her son for going to Africa, and professed love to her son. She pleaded with her son to deposit $200 into her bank account. In the background, an angry Adeboye was screaming that, that might be the last time Diana would talk to her son.

Not long after, Khalil Dave, a realtor appeared to want to sell Diana’s house in Crestline, California, claiming to have been hired to sell the property.

In his possession was a photo shopped picture of Diana and the supposed ‘Mark Harmon’, claiming she was with friends and want the house sold. He was arrested briefly but investigators believe he was onto a genuine business.

Rescue Plot
At this stage Medina was under no illusion that his mother who had a flight scheduled to return to JFK on December 4, was a kidnap victim.

He reported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department who in turn contacted FBI.

The FBI linked up with the Ghana Police Service and a plot was devised. The gang would be baited with cash, and once Diana’s credit card was recharged, a wide network of security men trailed the movement of the cash at various ATMs.

On December 11, the first withdrawal was made, sending the network of waiting law enforcement agents to work who swooped in on ATMs in the immediate vicinity.

That exercise netted Adeboye and Esther, and the police say the rest of the gang will be brought in to face the law.

Dum, who was held for sodomy pleaded guilty to the charge, and the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, convicted him on his own plea.

Chief Inspector Adams Mumuni, who led the prosecution, said the victim resided at Yirase with his mother and grandmother.

He said in 2023, the victim went to Asankrangwa and around 7 pm, went to the Yirase lorry station to board a vehicle home, but there was no vehicle available.

The court heard that as the victim sat alone at the lorry station, Dum spotted him from afar, got closer and offered to take the victim home so he could spend the night there and continue his journey the next day.

The prosecution said the victim accepted the offer and followed Dum to his house, and they slept on the same bed in his room.

Chief Inspector Mumuni said while the victim was fast asleep, Dum applied a substance around his anus and had sex with him through his anus.

It said the victim suddenly woke up while, the sexual act was ongoing, and Dum quickly wore his boxer shorts and threatened to kill the victim if he told anyone.

The prosecutor said Dum locked the victim in his room for three days and had sex with him through his anus on three occasions, but the victim managed to escape on the fourth day.

The prosecution said when the victim got home, he narrated what happened to him to his mother and she reported the matter to the police, Dum was subsequently arrested and cautioned before an independent witness.

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Agemba, who is also a trader, is accused of failing to deliver on his promises.

In addition to the security service recruitment scam, Agemba is also said to have taken money from two individuals under the pretext of securing them USA and German visas, but again failed to follow through.

Furthermore, Agemba allegedly collected additional money from complainant Patience Solomon to secure her an auctioned car but failed to deliver on that promise as well.

He faces seven counts of defrauding by false pretense. The court did not take his plea, as prosecution led by Chief Jonas Lawer (who was standing in for Assistant Superintendent of Police Richard Amoah) informed the court that more victims were coming forward with complaints.

The prosecution requested that Agemba be remanded into police custody. The court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, agreed, noting the serious nature of the allegations and the need to prevent interference with ongoing investigations. Agemba is set to reappear on December 27, 2024.

According to the prosecution, Patience Solomon, an Immigration officer, was first approached by Agemba in November 2023 after being informed by her husband that Agemba, a senior brother to the accused, was an alleged National Security operative at the Jubilee House and had access to a protocol slot for recruitment into various security agencies.

Agemba confirmed he could assist with securing positions in the Ghana Police Service, Immigration, Prisons, Armed Forces, and the Ghana Revenue Authority, for a fee ranging from GHC7,000 to GHC22,000.

Solomon then convinced other acquaintances to pay for similar enlistments. In total, GHC1,931,000 was collected from 48 individuals for the purported enlistments.

In addition to the recruitment scam, Agemba also took GHC54,000 for the auctioned vehicle deal and GHC87,000 from two individuals for visa processing, which he did not fulfil.

Alarmed by the repeated failures, the complainant reported Agemba to the police, leading to his arrest.

The convicted individuals are Nzete Chukunhru Best, a 28-year-old second-hand clothes dealer; Mark Billy Agbozo, a 31-year-old teacher; and Ernest Sokpi Amevor, a 32-year-old driver and self-proclaimed peacemaker.

The men were found guilty of contravening sections 20(1) and 149(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29) as amended by the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act 2003 (Act 646).

The robbery occurred on May 29, 2021, at Ayitikope-Akatsi in the Volta Region. The culprits, using a Daewoo taxi cab with registration number GE 3739-12, broke into the residence of Atsu Kumordzi, a lotto agent.

They stole GH₵160,000, an equivalent of GH₵640,000 in CFA Francs, and an additional GH₵25,000 belonging to Peace Lordeena Sedofia.

The case was investigated and referred to the Attorney General’s office for advice. Following a thorough trial, presided over by His Lordship Felix Datsomor, the court convicted the three on multiple charges.

Each of the accused was sentenced to 25 years for each offense, to be served consecutively.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend six other accomplices who allegedly served as spies and aided the crime.

Source: Odehyeba Owusu Job

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The Human Rights lawyer has said the manner in which the case was handled is another failure of our justice system, citing an incident in 2015 involving one Charles Antwi.

In a post on X, he questioned how someone in his right senses would walk to Parliament and decide to smash windows of cars because he claimed: “God asked him to do so?”

Christopher on December 20, 2024, pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy and causing unlawful damage and was handed the sentence by the presiding judge, Samuel Bright Asiedu.

His accomplice, 41-year-old Ahli, who faces the same charges, was however, remanded into police custody.

The prosecution, led by Superintendent Augustine Yirenkyi, informed the court that Ahli’s charges required amendments and requested an adjournment.

The case has been adjourned to January 9, 2025.

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A man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a woman who was set on fire on a subway train in New York.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was charged with first and second degree murder as well as arson on Monday over the attack.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described Sunday’s incident as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being”.

She said the woman was on a stationary F train in Brooklyn when she was approached by a man who used a lighter to ignite her clothing – which became “fully engulfed in a matter of seconds”. Although officers extinguished the flames, the victim died at the scene.

Getty Images

The convict, Kwadwo Mumuni, who was charged with one count of defilement, pleaded guilty to the offence.

Prosecuting Detective Sergeant Dominic Appiah Kusi told the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu that the complainant, a 29-year-old woman is the mother of the victim, who had stopped schooling.

He said Mumuni had no permanent place of abode but was often seen roaming at the Tarkwa Railway station.

The Prosecution said on November 9, 2024, around 4:30 pm, the complainant sent the victim to go and buy her charcoal from the Tarkwa Railway station.

He said after the victim had collected the money under the pretext of going to buy the charcoal, left to the market, and failed to return home, but was spotted loitering around the Tarkwa Railway station.

Detective Sergeant Kusi said the complainant searched for the victim for hours, but she could not find him.

On November 10, the next day, at 1:30 am, a witness in the case who had closed from work and was on his way home saw Mumuni having anal sex with the victim while he was asleep on the corridor of a Storey building located at the Tarkwa Railway station.

Prosecution said Mumuni on seeing the witness approaching him took to his heels, but he was chased, arrested, and handed over to the police.

The witness then called the complainant on the phone and informed her of what had happened to her son, and she quickly came to the Railway police station, where she was given a police medical form to seek treatment for the victim.

Detective Sergeant Kusi said the complainant later returned the form endorsed by a medical officer at the Apinto Government hospital in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

The deceased were found in a bush between Klokpui and Wute, just about a kilometre from the main road linking Akatsi and Wute.

A Police source said that a report was made to the Akatsi Police Command by Mr Wisdom Akpablie, the Assembly Member for the area, who said he received the death report from his subjects regarding the discovery of the two lifeless bodies.

The Police source disclosed that, the lifeless bodies of the deceased were found with visible signs of severe gunshot wounds on the bodies.

The source also indicated that the deceased sexual organs and hearts were removed.

The Police are therefore requesting assistance from the public in helping identify and locate the relatives of the deceased as they continue with investigations.

Mr Akpablie explained that the deceased was alleged to have been murdered at a different location before being dumped within his area.

He said all efforts by residents from the area to identify the bodies have been unsuccessful.

Mr Akpablie has since appealed to the members of the community to remain vigilant in their movements within the area.

Bodies of the deceased have since been kept at the Sogakope Hospital morgue awaiting further examinations.

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The order came after Christabel Suphiar Sarkodie Tuffour, who faced five counts of defrauding by false pretences, appeared in court.

She allegedly collected a total of €42,889, £8,500, $5,000, and GH¢230,000 from 15 individuals, promising to assist them in obtaining visas to Germany and Canada.

Tuffour, a radiologist, claimed that she handed the money over to one Ebenezer, but he denied receiving any funds, according to the prosecution.

She refused a police inspection to confirm her gender, leading to confusion in court, where she was initially addressed as male.

Due to this uncertainty, the court ordered the police to clarify her gender.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Ramatu Asumah, revealed that the complainants were young individuals seeking to travel abroad for better opportunities.

Tuffour, while studying in Europe, had falsely claimed to have worked with the German Immigration Service in Frankfurt.

She and her accomplice Ebenezer, who had no experience in travel and tourism, deceived the complainants into believing they could help secure visas.

Ebenezer introduced the complainants to Tuffour, further solidifying the illusion of legitimacy.

Tuffour provided her bank account details to some of the victims, while others paid her in person during meetings in Osu and at Lancaster Hotel.

She also arranged a fake marriage to Kwasi Gyimah at the La Nkwantanang District Court, claiming it would help secure a spousal visa upon her return to Germany.

Through these tactics, Tuffour successfully obtained large sums of money from the 15 complainants.

After her arrest, she admitted in her caution statement to handing the funds to Ebenezer, although he denied receiving them.

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He was arraigned before the Weija Circuit Court, and charged with stealing electricity power valued at GH¢156,000.00 and interfering with the electricity distribution meters belonging to the ECG.

According to facts narrated by Chief Inspector Joseph Barabu, the Investigating Officer, the 2nd accused, currently at large, was a caretaker of a four-bedroom self-contained storey building at ‘cassava farm’ in Accra.

In December 2022, the complainant, an officer of the Bortianor District Office of the ECG, had information that the caretaker had illegally connected electricity to the apartment without meters.

This was followed by an enquiry by the ECG’s field monitoring team which confirmed the illegality, and the power to the apartment was disconnected.

The caretaker was invited to the office to pay a penalty for illegally using power for free and also to regularise his status with the Company.

The caretaker failed to honour the invitation to the office, and rather engaged the services of the accused person, Jackson Ekow, to reconnect lights to the apartment without recourse to ECG.

The Weija circuit court presided over by Mr Joshua Caleb Abaidoo reportedly granted the accused person bail of GH¢12,000, to reappear on December 24.

Meanwhile, Dr Mark Owusu Ansah, Revenue Protection Manager for ECG Accra West Region, in a news brief, cautioned customers against engaging the services of persons who were not authorised by the ECG to work within its power supply and distribution system.

“We have intensified our physical presence in communities through field monitoring, and also employed the use of technology to enable us to detect customers who are illegally connected to the grid and using power for free”, he said.

Dr Owusu Ansah noted that all arrested customers would be surcharged for the power they had illegally used and reported to the police for criminal prosecution.

The Accra West Region of ECG has eight operational districts. These are Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korle-bu and Nsawam.

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The incident occurred on Thursday, December 19, 2024, following allegations of ritual murders.

The mob’s actions were reportedly triggered by the disappearance and subsequent murder of Diana Asante, a 22-year-old mobile money vendor who went missing on December 17, 2024.

After an extensive search by community members, Diana’s lifeless body was discovered three days later in a small tunnel near the town hall shed, wrapped in a bedspread.

Upon recognizing the bedspread, the youth linked it to Joseph Ankomah, a local mortician and food vendor.

They stormed his residence, conducted a search, and allegedly found bloodstains and blood-soaked clothes on the premises.

Outraged by the discovery, the mob confronted Joseph, who, under intense pressure, reportedly confessed to the murder and admitted responsibility for several other killings.

He claimed to have killed four people that year and further alleged that two prominent individuals in the district had hired him for ritual killings, seeking blood and vital organs in exchange for money.

Before the police could intervene, the mob attacked Joseph, beating him severely before setting him on fire, resulting in his immediate death.

The police later retrieved his charred remains and sent them to the mortuary.

Chief Superintendent William Gyamfi, the Mpohor District Police Commander, confirmed the incident to Citi News. However, he declined to provide further details about arrests or the ongoing investigation.

The police have since launched a probe into both the lynching and the allegations of ritual killings, urging calm and cooperation from the community as they work to uncover the truth.

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A 51-year-old car sprayer who allegedly slashed his girlfriend severally with a knife after a misunderstanding has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Daniel Anum Komey, is alleged to have slashed the hand of his four-year-old daughter who tried to stop him from hurting her mother.

Charged with two counts of causing harm, Komey pleaded not guilty.

Charity is alleged to have informed Komey of quitting their relationship because she was no longer interested.

The court presided over by Mrs. Christina Cann admitted Komey to bail in the sum of GHC50,000 with two sureties, one to be justified.

This was after the defence counsel prayed for bail and informed the court that they would prefer to go for Court Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

The court therefore referred the matter to January 27, 2025.

Prosecution led by Detective Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei  said the complainant Janet Appiah aged 40 years is a caterer residing at Mantsemegome, a suburb of La.

The prosecution said the complainant is also a friend of the victim Charity Agbotsi, a caterer aged 34 years.

Chief Inspector Opoku said the victim also resides at La near Holy Reform Apostolic church with her 3 children including, victim Wren Naa Ayeley Komey aged 4 years.

Prosecution said Komey also resides at Teshie with his wife and other children.

The court heard that about 14 years ago, Komey met and fell in love with the victim Charity Agbotsi.

Prosecution said the two had a relationship and they had three children including victim Wren Naa Ayeley Komey, the second victim.

It said Komey paid visits to Charity intermittently throughout the relationship.

The Prosecution held that in January 2024, Komey moved in to live with victim Charity with the excuse that he had issues with his wife.

The court was told that the two cohabited for 7 months and Komey went back to his wife in August 2024 but visited the victim intermittently.

Prosecution said the victim made it known to Komey that she was no longer interested in the relationship, but Komey continued to visit.

On October 27, 2024, at about 2:00pm Komey visited the victim, and a misunderstanding ensued between them.

Prosecution said the victim left the house with two of their children including victim Wren Naa Ayeley Komey to the complainant’s house which is about 500 metres away from her house to live there for a while.

The court said on Monday November 28, 2024, at about 7:00pm whilst eating with her friend and the children, they heard a knock on the door.

Komey then entered the room where they were eating and he threatened that he would not leave until he killed the victim, Charity and killed himself.

Prosecution said Komey showed them a plastic bottle containing a substance he claimed was alcohol and also removed a small bottle from his pocket which he said was pesticide, saying that he was going to kill the victim and commit suicide thereafter.

Prosecution said Komey removed a small knife from his pocket, pounced on the victim Charity and stabbed her indiscriminately.

Victim Wren Na Ayeley Komey in an attempt to stop Komey’s father, she was also stabbed with a knife on her right hand by the accused.

Both victims sustained degrees of injuries were rushed to the Police Hospital and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals respectively for treatment, whilst the accused who also sustained a cut on his left hand was arrested by Police and sent to Police Hospital for treatment under guard.

Prosecution said the victims were later discharged on November 1, 2024, but they were still undergoing treatment.

The court heard on October 31, 2024, Komey was discharged, and the matter was transferred to Cantonments DOVVSU for further action.

Prosecution said the medical forms of the two victims and the accused were duly endorsed by the medical officers who stated the major degrees of injuries on both victims.

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The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy and causing unlawful damage and was handed the sentence by the presiding judge, Samuel Bright Asiedu.

His accomplice, 41-year-old Wisdom Ahli, who faces the same charges, has been remanded into police custody.

The prosecution, led by Superintendent Augustine Yirenkyi, informed the court that Ahli’s charges required amendments and requested an adjournment. The case has been adjourned to January 9, 2025.

Prosecution’s facts  

According to the prosecution, the complainants, Inspector Adu Yeboah and Aaron Awuah, are police officers stationed at Parliament House.

On December 18, 2024, at about 11:00 a.m., Sorkpa and Ahli sneaked into the Parliament House car park. Sorkpa, carrying a handbag concealing an earth chisel, used the tool to damage the windscreens of two Toyota V8 vehicles, two Toyota Camry saloon cars, and one Rav 4 vehicle belonging to Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Service staff.

Ahli was reportedly praising Sorkpa as he caused the damage. Both men were arrested and admitted to the offence in their caution statements, given in the presence of an independent witness.

Superintendent Yirenkyi stated, “After investigations, the accused persons were charged with the offences and arraigned before this honourable court.”

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The association says while Dr Baidoo was at work, some unknown persons at about 7 p.m. on December 18, 2024, entered the premises to raze a giant tree on the compound, which fell on the roof of the building, trapping the wife and 2-year-old toddler in the building.

The tree that fell on the house also broke the roof, damaging some personal effects.

Not even the shouts for help from the traumatized woman and the child could catch the attention of the perpetrators, who hurriedly left the premises, said the statement.

According to a release signed by Dr Bernard Hammond and Brefo Agyen Frimpong, Divisional Vice and Secretary, respectively, it took some passersby to assist them out of the house.

Dr Baidoo, who was at work, rushed to the scene later after being called on the phone.

A report has since been lodged with the Ashanti Regional Police Command for further investigations.

The Ghana Medical Association is demanding the immediate arrest, prosecution and subsequent punishment of the culprits, while it calls for compensation for Dr Baidoo’s family for their damaged belongings.

He explained that he had been a victim of motorbike theft in the past, which led him to arm himself for self-defence.

Nunekpeku denied that he had any criminal intentions when he carried the cutlass.

He made these statements during cross-examination in a case presided over by Ms. Enid Marful-Sau.

Nunekpeku is facing trial for attempted robbery after being arrested with a cutlass hidden in his shirt while riding a motorcycle with an alleged accomplice, Dickson, who is currently on the run.

Their plan was thwarted when a vigilant commercial bus driver alerted a police patrol team, resulting in Nunekpeku’s arrest, while Dickson escaped with the motorcycle.

During the cross-examination, Nunekpeku asked one of the arresting officers, General Lance Corporal Samuel Boafo, whether he had used the cutlass to commit a crime, to which the officer replied in the negative.

He also asked if he had informed the police at the time of his arrest that he was carrying a cutlass for protection, but the officer denied this, stating that the cutlass was discovered only after a search.

Nunekpeku also questioned Police Detective Chief Inspector Enock K. Agorkpa, another prosecution witness, about his claim that the cutlass was meant for self-defence.

The witness, however, stated that Nunekpeku had an ulterior motive for carrying it.

When asked if he used the cutlass to commit a crime or harm anyone, the witness confirmed that Nunekpeku had attempted to do so.

The court ruled that a prima facie case had been established against Nunekpeku, and he was instructed to present his defence.

The incident occurred on December 4, 2023, around 2100 hours, when Nunekpeku and Dickson reportedly monitored a commercial bus driver who was waiting to deliver items to his wife.

When the driver confronted them, Dickson fled into a dark area.

Alarmed, the driver contacted the police, who swiftly responded, arresting Nunekpeku while Dickson escaped with the motorcycle.

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The suspects have been identified as Wisdom Ahile, 42, and Christopher Okyere, 33.

The suspects were seen damaging windscreens and side windows of five vehicles, including two Toyota Land Cruisers belonging to Members of Parliament, a Toyota Rav4, and two Toyota Camrys owned by parliamentary staff with an axe head.

The incident took place in the mid-morning of Wednesday while the proceeding was ongoing.

Parliamentary security personnel swiftly moved in to apprehend the man and prevented further damage before handing him over to police officers.

However, the motive behind the vandalism remains unknown.

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A driver who inhaled laughing gas at the wheel has been jailed for nine years and four months after he admitted killing his three teenage passengers in a high-speed crash.

Thomas Johnson, 19, had admitted to taking nitrous oxide through balloons while driving and exceeding speeds of more than 100mph on a road with a speed limit of 30mph.

He pleaded guilty to causing the deaths earlier on Wednesday at Oxford Crown Court.

Addressing Johnson, Judge Emma Nott said his actions were “all for teenage thrills” and he would be “forever defined” by his “teenage mistakes”.

Daniel Hancock, 18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, died in the crash in Marcham, Oxfordshire, in June last year.

Their families have spoken of being “united by grief” by the tragedy and hope the sentence “will serve as a deterrent” to others.

Mobile phone video footage taken inside the BMW 3 series, moments before it crashed, showed the boys laughing and passing nitrous oxide canisters to the front while Johnson had a balloon to his face.

The tyres can be heard screeching as the vehicle drifts around a corner at high speed.

Thames Valley Police also released an ANPR photo of the driver and front passenger with balloons to their mouths.

CCTV footage shows the vehicle overtaking another car at more than 100mph. Police say the vehicle’s electronic stability control had been deliberately switched off.

Johnson, who sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash, says he does not remember what happened.

In a police interview afterwards, he revealed he was aware of the risks.

Asked if he had ever taken nitrous oxide, Johnson responded: “No, not this year. I remember doing it once last year with a group of friends before I could even drive but I don’t have any recollection after that.”

Asked if he remembered what the effect of it was, Johnson replied: “It made my head feel dizzy.”

Families hope sentence is ‘deterrent’

Commenting on the case, a joint family statement said: “No amount of imprisonment will bring our sons back home and we take little comfort in the sentencing of someone else’s son.

“However, we do hope that this will serve as a deterrent to other drivers, especially young men.

“If just one person adjusts their attitude to driving, or one person thinks twice about being a passenger along for the ride then there is hope that something good can come out of this tragedy.”

‘Permanent living nightmare’

Elliot Pullen’s parents, Kate and Giles, and his sister Mia issued a separate statement describing their sense of loss and being “united by grief” in what was a “permanent living nightmare”. They said they had been “sucked into a world of grief, sadness and pain”.

The parents of Ethan Goddard paid tribute, writing that he “was a fun, loving, kind, generous, caring young lad, always thinking of others, and getting the most out of life”.

They added he “was loved so very much and made his family so proud”.

Meanwhile, Daniel Hancock’s family said in a statement he “was truly loved and will always be missed. He was caring, generous and selfless.”

And they issued a warning to other young drivers.

“Daniel died three miles from home in a completely avoidable crash. Please don’t be that driver who shows such disregard for their friends’ lives.”

Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins, of Thames Valley Police’s serious collisions investigative unit, explained that nitrous oxide impairs a driver’s ability to make decisions.

Oforiwa was convicted on seven charges, including abetment of crime and stealing, with the sentences running concurrently. Her accomplices—Dawda Sawdido, Mohammed Muktar, Fuseini Saeed Ibrahim, Felix Mensah, Lawrence Quarshie, and Philip Ansah—are still at large.

During sentencing, the court acknowledged Oforiwa’s status as a first-time offender and a mother of two but emphasized that her actions were premeditated. Oforiwa played a key role in aiding the other fugitives in misappropriating funds from the bank.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong, who led the prosecution, urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence due to the growing number of similar crimes, which he said were harming financial institutions and destabilizing the economy.

The prosecution revealed that in 2022, GCB Bank discovered that eight cheques had been cloned from its customers’ accounts, resulting in a total withdrawal of GH₵81,060.

Victims included Rejoice Emekor Senezah, who had GH₵12,000 stolen from her account on January 10, 2022, and Felcon Electrical Enterprise, who lost GH₵47,460 on April 13, 2022. Investigations showed that the cloned cheques had been issued to Oforiwa’s company, Jesnat Cook Company.

Oforiwa and her accomplices used chemical methods to erase account details and signatures on the original cheques, making them appear legitimate to the bank.

The group’s fraudulent activity included several successful withdrawals. For example, Dawda Sawdido withdrew GH₵4,700; Mohammed Muktar made two withdrawals totaling GH₵9,700; Fuseini Saeed Ibrahim took GH₵5,000; and Felix Mensah withdrew GH₵47,460.

On August 1, 2022, Philip Ansah and Livingston Ankomah used a cloned cheque to withdraw GH₵4,700 from the Kaneshie branch of GCB Bank, and attempted to withdraw an additional GH₵3,000 from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle branch.

Their suspicious actions led to their arrest.

Ankomah confessed and was later imprisoned for his role in the scheme.

Oforiwa was arrested on December 24, 2022, by the Kwahu Nkwatia Police. During questioning, she admitted to using the Jesnat Cook cheques to steal GH₵81,060 and suggested that her boyfriend, Samuel Gyane Nyanteh, might have been involved.

The judge, after the verdict, urged financial institutions to strengthen their ICT systems and train staff, particularly tellers, to scrutinize cheques and other financial instruments thoroughly to prevent such fraud.

The court emphasized the importance of safeguarding shareholder and depositor interests to maintain public trust.

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The unfortunate incident occurred around 11:30 am on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

Information gathered by Adom News suggests that, a funeral procession was underway with the mourners headed to the cemetery.

However, they encountered a police barrier, which led to a confrontation.

The situation escalated when one of the mourners allegedly insulted a policewoman, prompting a call for backup.

The reinforcement team is said to have clashed with the mourners upon arrival, during which a policeman fired warning shots.

In an attempt by the mourners to disarmed him, the gun accidentally went off, shooting his colleague in the abdomen.

The officer responsible fled the scene after realizing the harm caused.

The injured officer was rushed to a nearby clinic and later transferred to Techiman Hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries.

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Emmanuel  Klutse, per the CCTV recording, was captured opening the complainant’s car and stealing the money, according to prosecutors.

Klutse, charged with unlawful entry and stealing, pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo admitted Klutse to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties who must be residents with the jurisdiction of the court.

The prosecution was ordered to comply with the rules of disclosure.

The matter has been adjourned to 12 February 2025.

Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Josephine Lamptey said the complainant, Theress Rusell Panford, was a Procurement Officer at Kasapreko Company Limited.

Klutse is a resident of Cambodia, a suburb of Baatsona.

On December 4, 2024, the complainant went to his bank to withdraw GH¢60,000 and kept GH¢50,000 in his car which he had parked at the Company’s car park at Spintex.

Chief Inspector Lamptey said at about 4:30 pm, the complainant returned to his car to drive home after work and found out that the money he kept in his car had been stolen.

Prosecution told the court that the complainant quickly sought assistance from the company’s security Department to review the CCTV footage recording.

Per the recordings, it was revealed that Klutse had followed the complainant in his Toyota Highlander which he parked close to where the complainant parked at the company’s car park.

Also, the prosecution said the recordings captured Klutse coming out of his car, looking around, opening the complainant’s car door and picking up the money.

The prosecution said soon after the act, Klutse entered his get-away car.

A formal complaint was lodged with the Police on December 4, 2024, and the accused person was lured from his hideout and arrested the following day.

When Klutse was quizzed, he admitted the offence and confessed to having committed the crime with two other friends who were at large.

The prosecution said the accused indicated that he shared the booty with his accomplices, and he had GH¢30,000 which he used GH¢15,000 out of his share to settle his debt.

Police investigations revealed that the complainant employed Klutse for seven years as his personal driver but parted ways.

It was also disclosed that while Klutse was working with the complainant, he took the spare key along and used it to get into the complainant’s car and made away with the GH¢50,000.

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Tetteh is accused of defrauding a complainant, Owusu Keker Andrews, of GH¢20,000.00 under the pretence of securing the complainant’s wife, Dorothy Adjei, a position in the Ghana Immigration Service.

Details of the Case

According to court documents, the incident occurred in February 2024 at Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.

The accused allegedly claimed to have connections within the Presidency, that could facilitate enlistment into the Immigration Service. Convinced by Tetteh’s assurances, Andrews handed over the money.

However, after receiving the payment, Tetteh reportedly went into hiding, vacating his residence and evading contact.

Several attempts by Andrews to reach Tetteh proved futile, leading him to file a complaint with the police on May 29, 2024.

Police efforts to locate Tetteh were initially unsuccessful. However, on December 11, 2024 he was arrested at the Regional Police Headquarters in Accra in connection with another alleged fraud case. Andrews subsequently identified him in police custody.

Admission and Investigations

During police investigations, Tetteh reportedly admitted to the offense, but claimed he handed the money to an accomplice identified as “Nana Annin.”

Tetteh, however, failed to assist police in locating the alleged accomplice.

The case is still under investigation, with Tetteh formally charged and presented before the court.

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They are Patrick Kwame Agbesi, 39, mechanic, Abraham Kwame Atidama, 30, Auto electrician, Atsu Adzasu, 24, Auto mechanic and Prophet Johnson Togoe, 49, Auto mechanic/Prophet.

The suspects are to reappear in court on December 20, 2024.

The Prosecution told the court, presided over by Albert Owusu Annor Esq, that the victim, Fred Odum, a driver by profession and working with the Adaklu District Assembly, and the accused persons are Auto mechanics and Auto electricians respectively.

All suspects reside at Mirage and Poly Down, both in the Ho Municipality.

During the month of August 2023, the Police Intelligence Department (PID) in Ho received information about the alleged murder of a young guy.

The Department then launched investigation into the incident.

On November 15, 2024 the PID after months of intensive Intelligence gathering located victim Fred Odum.

The victim, when interviewed, confirmed to the police that on August 11, 2023 around 01:00 hours, he was returning from Ho to Adaklu-Kojobi when his unregistered royal motorbike developed a puncture on the rear tyre.

That he pushed the motorbike to the nearest mechanic shop where all the accused persons mentioned, with the exception of the Prophet work, in order to fix the punctured tyre.

Victim also told the police that moments after he entered the mechanic shop, suspect Abraham Kwame Atidama emerged from nowhere and struck his forehead with a cutlass.

That Atidama then raised an alarm that he was a thief and people trooped to the scene. Victim was then subjected to severe beating by the suspects using sticks, cutlasses, metal rods and other implements.

The accused persons then tied victim’s hands behind him with electric wire. Both of his legs were also firmly tied using electric wire.

He was then tied to the rear of a blue/black Mazda, with registration number GT2408Q.

Patrick Agbesi Kwame drove the vehicle, dragging him on the tarred road from GETFUND Hostel SSNIT Flat Junction, a distance of about 500 meters.

The victim screamed in agony and fell unconscious. He sustained injuries on his forehead, buttocks, chest, arms, legs and the genitals. Blood oozed from the named bodily parts.

Atsu Adzasu, thinking the victim was dead, dumped him in a nearby bush.

He was later rushed to the Ho Teaching Hospital by some Good Samaritans where he was admitted for treatment for months.

Police, however, issued medical report form to the victim.

Medical evidence obtained from the Teaching Hospital, signed by Dr Mawuwenyo A. Oyortey, a Urology Consultant disclosed “laceration of 5cm×3cm on the left supra orbit with friction burns on the right side of the cheek, anterior chest wall, upper and lower limbs as well as the abdominal walls.

There was also laceration, occiput and avulsion injury on the left wrist. It also indicated avulsion injury of the scrotum with traumatised amputation”.

On November 14 and 15, 2024 the police in an intelligence led operation arrested the four suspects for their involvement in the crime.

The accused persons, in their respective caution statements to the police, reportedly admitted to the offence.

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The suspect believed to be in his 30s was arrested by the chairman of Okada Riders Association and handed over to the Agona Swedru Divisional Police Command.

The Okada rider, 21-year-old Kwame Ofosu met his untimely death after being hired last week.

However, upon reaching a secluded section of the road, the assailant allegedly killed the rider, took his head, and fled the scene.

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The branded CONSAR LTD truck with registration number GN 7469- 17 was loading the building materials from the ongoing Agenda 111 project construction site without a permit when it was intercepted.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Regional Communication Officer of the NDC, Charles Akowuah Tuffour, explaining that some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led the police to intercept the truck.

It said the team also impounded another truck with registration number GC 9423-11 transporting about 160 state streetlight bulbs from the Bono Regional Minister’s residency.

It said they acted on a tip-off to confiscate the items belonging to the state.

The release condemned the development and urged the police, to as a matter of urgency, protect all state property and government belongings to guarantee the peace and stability the country was currently enjoying.

It also encouraged the public to be watchdogs and informants of all state properties, to ensure a peaceful and smooth running of the country by the current government and the incoming NDC administration.

It said the act of looting by the public was not only worrying but also a deliberate attempt by the miscreants to deny people in the region essential resources.

It said the two vehicles were sent to the police station for further investigation.

“In 2017, it must be recalled that prior to the handing over of the administration to the then incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, the then Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Organiser of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, arrogated to himself arbitral powers to confiscate vehicles and personal belongings of former ministers and appointees within the region,” the release said.

It accused appointees of the outgoing government and other officials of illegally looting state equipment and building materials at the construction site.

The release further cautioned the public, including government appointees in the region, to immediately halt any attempt to loot and misappropriate state property as the country prepares for a political transition.

It explained that they were still chairmen of the municipal and district security council and would be called to account for any missing state property.

It said they were mandated to hold in trust all state property in the districts for the good people of the region.

The NDC expressed concern about the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani West, Ignatius Baffuor-Awuah, having electricity extension poles, cables and transformers meant for the state in his private custody and not in government stores.

It said the release was to correct the erroneous impression that NDC members were involved in looting state property in the region.

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The accused are set to reappear in court on December 19, 2024.

The suspects, identified as Yabuku Abdul Malik, 20, a welder; Mohammed Yakubu, 25, a mechanic; Ibrahim Seidu, 23, a mechanic; Zaid Abubakari, 30, a porter; Seidu Mufaz, 20, a welder; Abubakar Hafiz, 30, a welder; Imoro Suleimana, 29, a scrap dealer; Abdul Aziz Alhassan, 30, a painter; and Iddrisu Issah, 51, a mechanic, were arrested by the Northern Regional Counter-Terrorism Unit at Zogbeli, where the vehicle was undergoing repairs.

According to police reports, the suspects allegedly invaded the repair site, claiming the vehicle belonged to the government.

They argued that if the government changed, the grader should be seized.

During the arrest, the police recovered five gas cylinders with pipes, two hammers, a chisel, and other mechanical tools from the suspects.

Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend more suspects involved in the incident.

Three Remanded for Looting Cotton Company Limited

In a related case, the same court also remanded three individuals for looting furniture belonging to Cotton Company Limited.

Widespread Looting of State Properties

Since the change of government, the Northern Region has seen a series of incidents involving the seizure and looting of state properties by irate youth.

District assemblies, warehouses, the veterinary department, agricultural department warehouses, and government officials’ residences are among the affected institutions.

President-elect John Mahama and other stakeholders have appealed for calm, urging citizens to respect the rule of law.

However, the unrest continues, with youth groups yet to adhere to these calls.

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The accused, Francis Akwasi, was apprehended at Abrewankor Junction, a farming community in Nkwanta South, after defrauding a local farmer, Godfred Yindan, of GH¢15,000 under the pretense of securing him a position in the military.

The Nkwanta Magistrate Court, presided over by His Worship Wellington Arhin, delivered the verdict after police investigations revealed the extent of Akwasi’s deception.

According to Seidu Kumi, an officer with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Mr Akwasi had been impersonating a military official, using a fake identity to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.

He promised Mr Yindan that he could facilitate his enlistment into the military for a fee.

Mr Akwasi, who frequently visited the community dressed in military attire, raised suspicions as he attempted to exert authority over residents.

His behaviour eventually alarmed community members, leading to an investigation and his subsequent arrest.

The court found Akwasi guilty of fraud and impersonation, sentencing him to 15 months in prison and ordering him to repay the GH¢15,000 he collected from the victim.

Speaking to Adom News, the victim, Godfred Yindan, revealed that Akwasi had posed as the brother-in-law of a community member and claimed to be a military officer based in Accra.

Trusting his claims, the community believed he was genuine until his repeated demands for money to “procure logistics for training” exposed his fraudulent activities.

The verdict serves as a warning against impersonation and fraud, highlighting the importance of vigilance in dealing with individuals making such promises.

Source: Obrempongba K. Owusu

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The Court presided over by Ms Enid Marful-Sau said the Prosecution had established a prima facie case against them (established criminal charges) and therefore the need to answer the charges levelled against them.

Ali Zakary and Dabare Toffic, both drivers have been jointly charged for conspiring to steal the excavator, belonging to a businessman.

Zakary is facing an additional charge of stealing and Toffic is charged with abetment of crime. They have denied the charges in Court.

They are to be brought back to the Court on December 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, their alleged accomplices: Desmond Appiah, Ernest Addo, Hamidu Nashiru Yabre as well as two others only named Emma and Bash are still on the run.

Police Chief Inspector Nashiru Salifu earlier told the Court that Alhaji Ali Seidu was the complainant. He said Zakary lived at Ashaiman as Toffic lived at Afrancho, a suburb of Kumasi.

The complainant imported eight brand new long King excavators into the country and Naskorsi Limited was contracted to work on the freight formalities and transport same to a warehouse at Dobro, he said.

Chief Inspector Salifu said the freight forwarder cleared some of the containers- containing disassembled excavators at the Tema Harbour and went in search of a long trailer to transport the goods to the warehouse.

The Court heard that Zakary informed a staff of Naskorsi, also a witness in the case that he knew of a trailer driver (Appiah) that could transport one of the containers and gave Appiah’s contact to him.

On October 19, 2023, one of the containers containing the excavator valued at $108,000 was loaded onto a DAF 95 trailer with forged registration number GN 7252 –11, driven by Zakary, did not dispatch the item as in the evening when the rest of the seven had been deposited at the warehouse.

The prosecution said a formal complaint was lodged with the Police as Zakary’s phone had been switched off.

On October 26, 2023, police received information that the container had been sent to Kumasi. Chief Inspector Salifu said investigations revealed that Zakary, Toffic, Appiah and Addo were about to sell the excavator but luck eluded Zakary and Toffic and they were arrested whilst the rest escaped.

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The announcement was made in a statement by United States Attorney Susan Lehr of the District of Nebraska.

Kayode was arrested in April 2023 in Ghana at the behest of US law enforcement following an indictment filed in August 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska.

He is accused of participating in a sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) scheme that allegedly defrauded businesses of over $6 million between January 2015 and September 2016.

According to the indictment, Kayode and his accomplices impersonated high-ranking executives of various companies, using spoofed email accounts to deceive employees into executing unauthorized wire transfers.

The funds were then funneled into bank accounts controlled by Kayode, which were often linked to victims of romance scams.

Kayode made his initial court appearance on December 11, 2024, before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson, who ordered him to remain detained pending his trial.

This case marks a continuation of efforts by U.S. authorities to dismantle the network involved in these scams.

Several co-conspirators have already faced justice: Adewale Aniyeloye, who sent fraudulent emails, was sentenced to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1.5 million in restitution; Pelumi Fawehinimi, who facilitated bank accounts for the fraud, received 72 months; Onome Ijomone, involved in romance scams, was given 60 months after his extradition from Poland; and Alex Ogunshakin, another key figure in the scheme, was sentenced to 45 months following his extradition from Nigeria earlier this year.

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated the ongoing commitment to capturing the remaining fugitives involved in this operation, stating, “Our message to the remaining four co-conspirators; we are coming for you.” He highlighted the collaborative international effort, thanking Ghanaian authorities for their cooperation in Kayode’s extradition.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with significant assistance from the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Of the 16 suspects arraigned, 14 were remanded while two minors were discharged.

The violence reportedly arose from delays in announcing election results, resulting in the death of one person and extensive damage to the Electoral Commission’s office.

Angry protesters allegedly attacked the Damongo Municipal Collation Centre, setting the EC office ablaze and causing significant destruction.

Due to security concerns in the region, the case was transferred to the Kumasi High Court for hearing.

The accused persons face nine charges, including unlawful damage, assault, causing harm, and obstructing electoral officers from performing their duties.

The State Attorney requested a deferral of pleas to allow additional time for investigations. Meanwhile, the defence counsel appealed for the release of their clients, citing the involvement of minors.

The court ordered the release of the two minors into the care of a responsible guardian, Alhaji Imoro Seidu, who was required to deposit his Ghana card with the court registrar.

Pleas are set to be taken at the next hearing on 19th December 2024.

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Out of 16 suspects arraigned, 14 were remanded, while two minors were released.

The violence reportedly erupted due to delays in declaring election results, resulting in the death of one person and significant damage to the Electoral Commission’s office.

Protesters, angered by the situation, allegedly stormed the Damongo Municipal Collation Center and set the EC office ablaze, causing extensive destruction.

Owing to insecurity in the area, the case was transferred from the Savannah Region to the Kumasi High Court.

The accused face nine charges, including unlawful damage, assault, causing harm, and obstructing electoral officers in the performance of their duties.

The State Attorney requested a postponement of the plea to allow for further investigations.

The defence counsel, however, argued for the release of their clients, highlighting that two of the accused are minors.

The court ordered the release of the minors to a responsible guardian, Alhaji Imoro Seidu, who was required to deposit his Ghana Card with the Court Registrar.

The court scheduled the next hearing for December 19, 2024, when pleas are expected to be taken.

The remaining accused have been remanded into prison custody as investigations continue.

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This was during the early hours of Thursday, December 12, for allegedly stealing a standing fan and a flat-screen television.

According to a resident named Vifa, the suspected robber reportedly broke into a residence between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. while the occupants were away.

The stolen items were discovered near the suspect’s burnt body.

Although it remains unclear who carried out the act, residents believe the incident reflects growing frustration in the community over frequent robberies in the area.

The body has however been conveyed to the morgue, with investigations ongoing to identify those responsible for the incident.

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Reports indicate that, the assailant hired the victim to transport them to a nearby village.

However, upon reaching a secluded section of the road, the assailant allegedly killed the rider, took his head, and fled the scene.

Following the horrific incident, angry youth from the community stormed the recently commissioned Gomoa Obuasi Police Station, vandalizing the building, a police vehicle, and private cars belonging to officers.

The attack was reportedly fueled by misinformation that some suspects had been arrested by the police.

Speaking to Adom News, Ibrahim Obeng, the Assemblyman for Gomoa Afranse-Ofaso Electoral Area, confirmed the tragic incident and revealed that the perpetrators had taken the victim’s head.

He urged Okada riders to exercise caution and conduct background checks on passengers before offering their services.

Police are investigating the case and have appealed for calm in the community, while urging residents to report any suspicious activities to aid in apprehending the culprits.

Watch the video above:

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Foli, who is unemployed, is accused of deceiving the complainant by promising to secure a United States visa and three Canadian visas but failed to deliver.

She has been charged with defrauding by false pretences and has pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Isaac Addo, rejected a bail application made by the defence counsel, Chris Akummey, after the prosecution opposed it.

The prosecution argued that Foli had previously jumped bail after being granted bail by the Weija Circuit Court.

As a result, the court denied bail and ordered the prosecution to file their disclosures within two weeks.

The case was adjourned to December 24, 2024.

The prosecution also pointed out that Foli had committed the same offence while on bail, leading to her re-arrest.

Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, who represented the prosecution, recounted that Foli and her lawyer had provided conflicting addresses and noted that the defendant had previously absconded while facing similar charges.

In response, Mr Akummey, the defence counsel, requested the court to reconsider the bail application.

He denied the accusation that Foli was Togolese, stating that she was a native of the Volta Region and had family members present in court.

Mr Akummey argued that Foli had committed the offence without fully understanding its consequences.

“I am on bended knees praying for bail because my client has been in custody for more than 10 days,” he pleaded.

The prosecution’s case revealed that the complainant, Daniel Acquay, an insurance officer residing at Bortianor, became involved in the fraudulent scheme after Faustina Foli, a resident of Ablekuma, approached him in October 2024.

Foli claimed that her fiancé, Charles Agbele, worked at the Canadian High Commission and was facilitating the issuance of Canadian and U.S. visas at a reduced cost and with less hassle.

Foli showed the complainant copies of Canadian visas, which she claimed were obtained by her fiancé for other applicants.

Convinced by this, Acquay expressed interest in securing Canadian and U.S. visas for his daughter and three other relatives.

He then handed over various sums of money totalling GH¢265,000 to Foli for the visas.

Foli promised to deliver the visas within a month. However, after receiving the money and passports from the applicants, she went into hiding, and all attempts to reach her proved unsuccessful.

Suspecting fraud, Acquay reported the matter to the police.

In her caution statement, Foli admitted to collecting the money, stating that she had been instructed by Charles Agbele to give the funds to one “Kojo.”

However, Foli failed to provide the police with useful information about Kojo to aid their investigation.

The prosecution also revealed that they were extending their investigation to the Canadian High Commission to verify whether Charles Agbele was employed there.

Additionally, Foli had initially claimed to be a Togolese national.

However, when searched, a Ghana Card was found on her, and it was also discovered that she did not have a fixed address.

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This was to address the disturbing incidents of post-election violence and unrest that have marred Ghana’s otherwise peaceful 2024 general elections.

The coalition, comprising prominent groups such as the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), STAR Ghana Foundation, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), and the Office of the National Chief Imam, expressed deep concern over the disruptions at collation centres and acts of vandalism.

“These acts of lawlessness threaten the peace and stability that are foundational to Ghana’s democracy,” the coalition emphasized in their press statement.

During the meeting, the CSOs acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in maintaining order and protecting lives during this tense period.

“We recognize the proactive measures by the Ghana Police Service and the Armed Forces to de-escalate tensions and uphold law and order,” the coalition said, while also commending the police for apprehending suspects involved in the violence.

The coalition also highlighted the swift intervention of President-elect John Dramani Mahama, who, along with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urged supporters to refrain from violence.

“Such appeals for peace are critical at this time,” the statement noted, extending similar praise to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other individuals advocating for calm.

While Ghana’s elections are internationally regarded as a model of democracy in Africa, the post-election period has, unfortunately, been tainted by unrest.

“This is consistent with previous elections,” the coalition stated, condemning the acts of vandalism and unrest and calling for an immediate halt to all such activities to preserve the integrity of the election process.

The coalition urged the security agencies to intensify efforts to restore calm and ensure accountability. “We trust the police to remain impartial, uphold the law, and protect the safety and security of all Ghanaians,” they stated.

Additionally, the CSOs appealed to all Ghanaians to respect the rule of law and embrace peace during this critical transition period.

“The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy and must be safeguarded by all of us,” the coalition said.

In closing, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to preserve Ghana’s democracy. “Ghana’s strength lies in our commitment to peace, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power,” the statement concluded.

As the nation navigates this post-election period, the coalition’s message is clear: Ghana’s democracy must remain a beacon of stability and progress for the region.

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