A senior military officer and four other persons have been taken into custody for robbering and kidnapping a Dutch national.
Military Officer, WOI Elorm John Ahiakpor alongside a 25-year old farmer Silas Amewonye, 32-year old trader Farouk Nuodio, 49-year old trader Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah also known as Aljazeera and a 25-year old carpenter Michael Nana-Addo are the alleged culprits. These five persons are facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping, as well as robbery and kidnapping.
Lawyers of the accused individuals have however, presented a bail application after pleading not guilty.
In their defence, lawyers of the accused argued that for the sake of justice, there needs to be a fair hearing before considering police claims, adding that the offences of the five arrested were bailable.
Moreover, lawyer representing the senior military officer, Carlos De-Souza made an argument on his military service records, saying he has no blemish. According to him, remanding Elorm Ahiakpor would endanger his career.
However, the prosecution represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police Kofi Anane expressed strong opposition to the bail request, citing the gravity of the crime committed and for the fact that investigation is still in progress.
Lodewijk Frederikus, a Dutch national whose friend happens to be Silas Amewonye, one of the alleged culprits arrived in Ghana on October 17, 2024.
Lodewijk was to meet his friend over a land purchasing arrangement in Ningo-Prampram, according to the prosecution’s report. His supposed friend arrived at the airport together with his two other friends to pick him up to a lodge where the night was spent. Reports indicate that they moved from the lodge to Amewonye’s residence the following day.
Three days after, when Frederikus realised he must have been kidnapped, as he was locked in a room, demanded to return to his country.
But Amewonye who had already put together a team for his kidnapping demanded a ransom of 15,000 Euros. Upon further negotiations, Frederikus was demanded to pay 8,000 euros despite making a 5,000 euros bargain.
The Dutch national was reportedly escorted under gun-point to the ATM to make a withdrawal. Here, he managed to make a distress call to the police who arrived in time to save him and arrest the alleged five perpetrators.
Meanwhile, after hearing arguments from both sides, the Circuit Court presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah has adjoured the case to October 29, 2024.
Source: Dehotpress
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