'I wasn't arrested for dealing in drugs'

Friday, May 15, 2009 (Page 3 Lead)

MR Kwaku Duah, the businessman who was allegedly robbed by six policemen and their accomplices, has denied that he was arrested by the accused persons for dealing in narcotic drugs.
Rather, he stated that he was arrested, assaulted and kidnapped by the accused persons who had demanded that he pay them $30,000 or he would be framed up for dealing in drugs.
Answering questions under cross-examination from counsel for DSP Patrick Kwapong of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Ghana Police Service, Mr Ellis Owusu-Fordjour, the witness also denied an assertion that he dealt illegally in gold.
Mr Duah specifically mentioned DSP Kwapong as the one who had demanded $30,000 or have him (Mr Duah) published in the media for dealing in drugs.
DSP Kwapong is standing trial alongside Chief Inspector Thomas Adu, Sergeant John Agyapong, Corporal Lawrence Dennis Quansah, Lance Corporal Karimu Muntari, Constable Benjamin Blejumah, Hans Amanor, a civilian friend of the complainant’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.
The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and robbery. They 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.
Mr Duah told the circuit court where the six policemen and six civilians are facing trial that it was not true that he had pleaded with DSP Kwapong to assist him (Mr Duah) to locate persons who had attacked him at the hotel.
During cross-examination from counsel for Adu, Mr Kwame Nyankon-Tetteh, Mr Duah explained that he wore baggy jeans and that was why he had been able to stuff the $53,000 and 800 Euros that he was robbed of into his pockets.
According to the witness, his lawyer was present when Mr Bright Oduro, the Deputy Accra Regional Commander, ordered DSP Kwapong and Adu to refund the moneys taken from him or face the full rigours of the law and disgrace.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Duah denied telling Mr Oduro that DSP Kwapong had not robbed him.
He told the court during cross-examination from counsel for Agyapong that he had kept the $53,000 and other valuables in his pocket on the day of the robbery to avert a possible theft from cleaners who might clean his room.
He also told the court that he did not understand why Muntari should sympathise with him to the extent of advising him (Mr Duah) whether or not he did know any influential person to assist him (Mr Duah).
Mr Duah also told the court that Muntari was not among the police officers who had taken him to DSP Kwapong at the Tesano Police after he had been robbed and assaulted by some of the accused persons.
Hearing continues today, May 15, 2009.