News
Car dealer granted GH₵85,000 bail over fraud
A man who allegedly took $14,500 from a sound engineer under the pretext of purchasing a Honda CR from the United States for him has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court yesterday.
Kennedy Kumi, the accused, was granted GH₵85,000 bail with two sureties who must be justified.
As part of the bail bond, the court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah ordered Kumi to report himself to the police once every week until the final determination of the case.
His plea would be taken on June 8, 2020.
One Asare who paraded as a clearing agent and took GH₵34,264.70 from the complainant is currently on the run and being sought by the police.
Appearing before Mrs Appiah, Chief Inspector of Police, Simon Apiorsonu told the court that in May 2019, the complainant expressed interest to purchase a Honda CR from the United States.
He said Kumi who knew the complainant and a witness in the case said he could buy the vehicle for the complainant at a cheaper price and based on that, the complainant paid the money to Kumi in the presence of the witness.
The prosecutor said weeks after the payment of the money, the alleged car dealer called the complainant and said the container carrying the vehicle had arrived at the Tema Port and arranged for them to meet at Jubilee Terminal, Tema.
The court heard that the two met Asare where the complainant gave him (Asare) GH₵34,246.70 as additional charges to clear the vehicle.
However, after taking the money, Chief Inspector Apiorsonu said that Asare switched off his mobile phone and efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful.
He said on November 6, 2020, the complainant lodged a complaint with the police, and Kumi was arrested.
Chief Inspector Apiorsonu told the court that the accused denied having defrauded the complainant, but failed to provide any relevant document or information concerning the purchase and shipment of the vehicle from the United States to Ghana.
The case stands adjourned.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
News
President Mahama thanks Ghanaians for support after helicopter crash tragedy
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and the government have expressed deep gratitude to Ghanaians and the international community for the support shown following the helicopter crash of August 6, which claimed eight lives, including two ministers of state.
In a message issued by the Presidency on Monday, the President said the nation was moved by the outpouring of condolences, solidarity, and practical assistance offered during the period of mourning.
He noted that the sympathy messages, attendance at the state funeral, and acts of kindness towards the bereaved families brought comfort in a difficult time.
The statement commended individuals, security personnel, and corporate organisations that worked to ensure that the victims were given what it described as a “dignified and befitting Ghanaian burial.”
“As we return to the duties of resetting Ghana and building the Ghana we want, let us remain united in prayer, comfort one another, and continue to support the families affected by this tragedy,” the statement said.
The President in the statement prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace.
Following the conclusion of the state funeral and the burial of all eight victims, the Chief of Staff has directed that flags at public buildings, which had been flown at half-mast in mourning, be restored to full mast with immediate effect.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama grants 998 prisoners amnesty
President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners serving various jail terms across prisons in the country.
The gesture is upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State and in accordance with Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
A statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in Accra yesterday said the number is out of a total of 1,014 recommended.
Per the statement, 87 persons who were sentenced to death will now be commuted to life imprisonment whiles 51 prisoners who were on life sentence will now have to serve 20 years.
First time offenders to be granted pardon are 787, seriously ill, 33, over 70 years irrespective of offence 36, nursing mothers, 2 and petitions, 2.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
