Isaac Jackson, the 21-year-old civilian employee at the Sekondi Naval Base, who together with Isaac Biney, 28, were arrested by the police for posing as military officers in the Tarkwa municipality, has confessed that he provided the military uniforms.

The two, who were dressed in military uniform and allegedly stormed the mining community of Esuaso in the municipality last Thursday, harassed and extorted money from some illegal miners operating in the community.

Jackson made the confession when the two suspects were hauled before a Tarkwa Circuit Court yesterday on charges of extortion.

The two pleaded guilty and the court, presided over by Samuel Obeng Diawuo, sentenced them to five years imprisonment each with hard labour.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah noted that Jackson was a civilian employee at the Sekondi Naval Base while Biney worked with Traffic Tech, a private security firm.

According to him, in the morning of August 8, 2013, the police had a tip-off that some people were posing as military officers and were harassing and extorting money from illegal miners in the mining community of Esuaso.

He indicated that upon hearing the information, a team of police officers were dispatched to the scene and on arrival, Biney, who had been detained by the mob and was about to be lynched, was rescued and sent to the police station.

He continued that the second suspect, Jackson, who managed to escape, was apprehended at Benso also in the municipality through the collaborative effort of the assembly members for Benso and Esuaso electoral areas.

When a search was conducted on the suspects, the police managed to retrieve a jack knife, GH¢120 and a Takoradi Technical Institute cadet identity card.

He said the suspects were placed in police custody and after investigations, they were put before court.