Two prison officers granted bail

November 12, 2010 (Page 19)

TWO prison officers alleged to have aided and facilitated the escape of one of the alleged killers of a Lighthouse Chapel International pastor have been arraigned before the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal.
The two, Assistant Chief Officer Godfred Asah, 52, and Cpl Nana Appiah-Kubi, 37, were alleged to have aided Yaw Asamoah to escape from a court in Accra on October 27, 2010.
They have pleaded not guilty to one count of aiding the escape of Yaw Asamoah and have been granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with two sureties to reappear on November 16, 2010.
The court, presided over by Mr Justice P. K. Aggrey, said he took into account the submissions for bail by counsel for the accused persons, Mr Alexander Abban, before granting bail.
Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr E. Y. Frimpong, informed the court that the accused persons were prison officers stationed at Nsawam Medium Security Prisons.
On October 27, 2010, Yaw Asamoah, who was serving a 20-year sentence for robbery, was under the escort of the two accused persons to be taken to the Accra High Court No. 7.
The court was on that day expected to deliver judgement in a robbery and rape case against Asamoah.
The prosecution said the prison officers arrived at the courtroom around 8:00 am with Asamoah when the court was not in session.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons removed the handcuffs from the wrists of the convict and left him without a guard to engage in mobile phone calls.
The prosecution said Asamoah took advantage of the prison officers’ unprofessional posture and took to his heels.
Information about the escape of the convict subsequently reached the Accra Regional Police Command, prompting the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ms Rose Atinga Bio, and a team of officers to visit the scene.
On the spot investigation confirmed the escape of the convict while further investigation resulted in prison authorities handing over the accused persons to the police for prosecution.