Alhaji Hearts granted bail

August 22, 2008 (Page 23)

THE Accra Circuit Court yesterday granted bail in the sum of GH¢25,000 with one surety to Alhaji Braimah Sulemana, aka Alhaji Hearts, who is standing trial with two others for alleged money laundering.
The two others, namely Claribel Ewura Esi Kinful, a cabin crew member of the Ghana International Airlines, and Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, a taxi driver, were each granted bail in the sum of GH¢25,000 with two sureties.
The court, presided over by Mr Nathaniel Osam, ordered the accused persons to report to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) on Mondays.
The accused persons were also expected to appear again before the court on September 10, 2008.
They pleaded not guilty to various counts of conspiracy, concealment of currency and abetment of crime.
Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Abavelim told the court that on August 8, 2008, Ghana International Airlines flight number G.O. 104 arrived at the Kotoka International Airport.
He said a random search conducted by security personnel of the airline revealed £59,870 concealed in two travelling bags belonging to Claribel.
Upon interrogation, Claribel disclosed that the money was given to her by one George in the United Kingdom to be delivered to someone in Accra.
According to the prosecution, Claribel told the security personnel that the person was expected to call her on phone and take delivery of the money.
She, however, could not provide any information on the said George.
The prosecution stated that on August 14, 2008 Alhaji Hearts, who is also a Board Member of Accra Hearts of Oak Football Club, went to the BNI headquarters where Claribel was being detained to claim ownership of the money.
Alhaji Hearts, who was accompanied by Tijani, told BNI officials that about one and a half years ago, he sent £50,000 through one Mushoo to Tijani to buy him (Alhaji Hearts) a house in the UK.
However, Tijani in a separate interrogation disclosed that Alhaji Hearts personally brought the money to the UK.
According to the prosecution, further investigations were being conducted to ascertain the truth of the matter in view of the discrepancies in the statements of the accused persons.
The counsel for the accused persons, Mr Kwame Akuffo, had earlier prayed the court to grant the accused persons bail, since they were law-abiding citizens and would avail themselves for trial.
He also told the court that the money was in the custody of the police and stated that Alhaji Hearts would co-operate with the court to ensure that justice prevailed.
Hundreds of sympathisers besieged the court premises to show solidarity to Alhaji Hearts and the other accused persons.