In a recent development, State Prosecutors have been granted an adjournment to file a fresh charge sheet against two men who have been arraigned for allegedly impersonating Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The adjournment was requested by the prosecution, citing new discoveries that necessitated the filing of a fresh charge sheet.
During the court sitting on Monday, July 8, 2024, the Prosecution, represented by Nancy Korkor Hammond, expressed their inability to file the fresh charge sheet as previously assured due to new information that had come to light. As a result of these new discoveries, the accused persons are now allegedly implicated in more offenses, with National Democratic Congress’ Women Organiser Hannah Bissue and Thomas Ampem-Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, identified as the latest victims.
The accused persons, who are currently on bail but appeared without their lawyers, explained that they were unable to fulfill their obligations to their legal representatives. Consequently, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the presiding judge, has adjourned the case to July 25, 2024.
Background
The two accused individuals, Promise Ahorgah, a phone repairer, and Kwaotse Mawuli, a building construction laborer, are alleged to have created social media accounts in the name of the North Tongu MP to solicit funds on behalf of victims affected by the Akosombo and Kpong Dam Spillage. They have pleaded not guilty to six counts of allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Ghanaians and have been granted GHc50,000 bail each.
The counts against them include two counts each of defrauding by false pretenses, charlatanic advertisement, and falsely pretending to be a public officer.
Brief facts
According to the prosecution, the complainant in this case is the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and a resident of Accra. The first accused person is a mobile phone repairer while the second accused person is a building construction laborer.
The prosecution alleges that following the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage and the flooding of certain parts of the Volta Region, the complainant developed a flyer for a 'North Tongu MP’s Disaster Donation Drive,' with a short code *713*75#, requesting donations to aid the flood victims.
It is further alleged that the accused persons modified the flyer and inserted their respective phone numbers before publishing the fake and deceitful flyers on social media platforms, requesting cash donations into their mobile phone numbers. They also purportedly used the names and photographs of the complainant to create several social media accounts and communicated with several people to solicit donations into their mobile money accounts.
The complainant discovered these fake activities on social media and reported the matter, leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
The investigation is said to be ongoing as both accused persons admitted to the offenses during interrogation.
As the case unfolds, it is essential to allow due process to take its course and for all parties involved to cooperate with the legal proceedings. The adjournment granted for the filing of a fresh charge sheet underscores the complexities of the case and the need for thorough investigation. The judiciary will continue to ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.
-source Starrfm | curated by Aisha Yakubu | GhanaCrimes
