June 11, 2009 (Page 3 Lead)
AN investigator in the case involving seven policemen and six civilians who are alleged to have attacked and robbed a businessman told the Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday that he did not request for transcripts of alleged conversations among the accused persons from a telecommunications company.
Detective Sergeant Edward Agyei-Odame said he requested for an itemised bill from MTN but did not request for a recording or transcript of those conversations.
The accused persons are DSP Patrick Kwapong of the Rapid Response Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Thomas Adu, Sergeant John Agyapong, Corporal Lawrence Dennis Quansah, Lance Corporal Karimu Muntari, Constable Benjamin Blejumah, Aams Amanor, a civilian friend of Mr Duah’s, Kwasi Tawiah, Peter Kwame Gyasi, alias Kwame Tawiah, and Bismark Ampofo.
Constable Ken Duodu Acheampong, Jeffrey Kwame Attah, alias Kay, and three others whose names were not provided are on the run.
DSP Kwapong has been charged with one count of conspiracy, while the other accused persons have been charged with conspiracy and robbery. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been refused bail by the court, presided over by Mr Mahamadu Iddrisu.
They were alleged to have robbed Mr Duah, who lives in Europe, at a hotel in Accra and taken away $53,000, €1,000 and GH¢2,000.
They were also alleged to have robbed the victim of a black bag containing two compact disc Walkman players, a set of keys, a digital camera, a cheque book and other items all valued at $4,000.
Answering questions under cross-examination from counsel for Blejumah, Mr Dela Blagodzi, the investigator told the court that he did not know Blejumah.
Sgt Agyei-Odame told the court during cross-examination from counsel for Adu, Mr Kwame Nyankon-Tetteh, that Adu and Jeffrey communicated 15 times between February 1 and February 2, 2009.
He also told the court that based on the itemised bill, he (witness) agreed that the attack on and robbery of Duah took place before the first call between Adu and Jeffrey was recorded.
The call was recorded at 11:21 a.m., while the attack was said to have taken place at 10:30 a.m.
Mr Agyei-Odame told the court during cross-examination from counsel for Kwapong, Mr Ellis Owusu Fordjour, that Kwapong had admitted that he (Kwapong) knew Jeffrey.
He, therefore, agreed with counsel that it was not strange that Jeffrey and Kwapong communicated with each other but stated that he could not tell whether or not Jeffrey was an informant.
Under cross-examination from counsel for Quansah, Mr Ekow Korsah, witness explained what constituted lawful order and stated that it was mandatory for junior officers to obey instructions only if it fell under the service instructions.
He also told the court during cross-examination from counsel for Muntari, Mr Shahadu Mohammed, that the investigations did not cover Muntari and added that his role was to take the caution statements of the accused persons.
According to the witness, he later handed over the docket on the case to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Agyapong, whose lawyer was absent, declined to cross-examine the witness.
The lawyer for Aams was absent, prompting the accused to cross-examine the witness on his own.
The following transpired between them:
Aams (Accused): Did you ask Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr Bright Oduro why Tawiah, Gyasi, Ampofo and I came to his office?
Sgt Agyei-Odame (Witness): Yes I did, my Lord.
Accused: What was the response.
Witness: The information was that Mr Duah and Aams came to the office to lodge a complaint, my Lord.
The investigator, however, disagreed with a suggestion from Aams that he, Tawiah, Gyasi and Ampofo were complainants.
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