Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 11 June 2008

Source: GNA

Five policemen interdicted for extortion

Sunyani, June 11, GNA- Five police officers stationed at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo region have been interdicted for allegedly extorting 100 CFA francs from two traders from La Cote D'Ivoire. They are Sergeant Peter Okantey, Corporal Martin Adjei, Lance Corporal Richard Oppong, Constable Gabriel Yaw Anshong and Constable William Nutakor.

When contacted, a source at the regional police command confirmed the story, stating that on June 2, 2008, the Ivoriens, Salifu Watara and Amidu Watara, arrived in Techiman to transact business, but were defrauded by one Kwadwo Agyei of 450,000 CFA francs. The source said Agyei later used the policemen to extort 100 CFA francs from the Ivoriens.

The police source however declined to comment further since a magistrate's court in Sunyani had already remanded the interdicted policemen as well as Agyei into prison custody on the charge of extortion and stealing. The court, presided by Mr Albert Zoogah, ordered them to re-appear on June 17 this year, the source added. The police source added that investigations into the case were on-going and the facts of the case would be read at the court on the adjourned date.