Ebenezer Asare, a 32-year-old driver, has been remanded into police detention by the Assin Fosu District Court, presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu, for publishing fake news, generating a false alarm, and stealing. When presenting the evidence before the court, the prosecution’s Sergeant Matilda Osaah Buabeng revealed that on February 5, 2023, the accused went to Mr. Smith Danquah’s home in Assin Fosu, where he lived privately, claiming to have some extremely important information for him.
The Accused categorically stated in an open declaration that he drives a KIA truck and typically travels from Budumburam to Assin Dompim. In addition, he claimed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had hired him to deliver weapons and ammunition from Budumburam to Assin Dompim in the Central Region prior to the 2024 presidential election. The Accused further stated that Superintendent Daniel Kwabena Darkoh, the crime officer for the recently established Central North Regional Command, was the Senior Police Officer tasked with accompanying the NDC team carrying the alleged weapons to its designated location. The Accused also provided the Complainant with the crime officer’s contact information.
After giving the aforementioned information, the accused sought payment from the complainant in the sum of Gh200.00 for delivering such important information, which the complaint duly complied with. Remotely, the Accused pledged to keep the complaint informed of the movements of the team transporting the weapons. According to the prosecutor, Sergeant Osaah Buabeng, the complainant called the accused that same evening in an effort to obtain further information, but he didn’t return the call.
However, the Accused repeatedly asked the complainant for cash. Since that time, the complainant has made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the accused; nevertheless, on February 9, 2023, the accused was apprehended after being seen in Assin Nyankomase. Before the case, the accused had gone to the Central North Regional Commander, DCOP Teye Cudjoe, claiming to have knowledge on alleged drug syndicates and demanding money to help catch the suspects, according to Sergeant Osaah Buabeng, who testified in court.
The Commander then instructed him to speak with the crime officer. Through this, the accused obtained the contact information for the regional crime officer, which he then provided to the complainant, Mr. Smith Danquah, as the designated police officer to accompany the team. The entire incident was revealed to be a fabrication during the later arraignment of the accused before the regional commander. The accused stated during questioning that his actions were intended to solicit money from gullible individuals, including the complainant. On the other hand, Yaw Korkor, a second complainant who works for Mr. Danquah Smith, the subject of the initial complaint, appeared at the police station to claim that the accused also fled with a Tecno mobile keypad phone.
Following the inquiry, the accused was accused of spreading false information, creating fear and alarm, and stealing and was brought before the court. However, the case was postponed to March 14, 2023 in response to the prosecutor’s plea, so that the police may conduct additional investigation.
