Sogakope, Jan 18, GNA - An Environmental Health Officer attached to the South Tongu District Assembly at Sogakope is to be brought before court for fraud.

Emmanuel Galley, 43, is accused of collecting 200,000 cedis to influence officials of the Akatsi District Tribunal to grant bail to a kebab seller he put before the tribunal for an environmental offence. Galley failed to secure the bail and initially denied collecting the money but said the money was thrust into his palm. Police sources told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that in December last year Mr Issaka Mazu's cow broke its tether and strayed into a nearby house.

The sources said despite the peaceful resolution of the matter by Mr Mazu and the landlord of the house into which the cow strayed, Galley put Mazu before the Akatsi Tribunal for allowing his cow to stray. They said the tribunal placed Mazu in custody and later in the evening Galley met Milory, Mazu's brother, and demanded 200,000 cedis to enable him (Galley) arrange bail for him.

The sources said after collecting the money, Galley went into hiding but Milory spotted him on the third day and reported him to the police. The police confirmed the story.