Soldier, 4 others remanded over robbery, kidnapping
A Soldier and four accomplices have been remanded in custody by the Accra Circuit Court, for their alleged involvement in the robbery and kidnapping of a Dutch national.
They are WOI Elorm John Ahiakpor, Silas Amewonye, a 25-year-old farmer, Farouk Nuodio, a 32-year-old trader, Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah, also known as Aljazeera, a 49-year-old trader, and Michael Nana Addo, a 25-year-old carpenter.
All the accused, who were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping, as well as robbery and kidnapping, pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the court, presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah.
Lawyers for the accused, Andy Vortia and Carlos De-Souza, applied for bail for their clients.
Mr Vortia, representing WOI Ahiakpor, contended that justice deserved a fair hearing before relying exclusively on police claims.
Mr Vortia said the accusations against the defendants were bailable, and that there was no proof that they had a history of jumping bond.
Mr De-Souza said that WO1 Ahiakpor had served as a military personnel for 24 years without blemish, and remanding him in custody would jeopardise his career.
The prosecution, represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Kofi Anane, opposed the bail application, citing ongoing police investigations.
He urged the court to consider the seriousness of the charges, emphasising that if the accused were found guilty, the consequences would be significant.
ASP Anane nted that the complainant in the matter is Lodewijk Frederikus, a Dutch, from the Netherlands.
The prosecution also disclosed that on October 17, 2024, Frederikus, arrived in Ghana to meet his friend, Silas Amewonye, regarding a land purchase in Ningo Prampram.
According to ASP Anane, Amewonye, and Farouk Nuodio met Frederikus at Kotoka International Airport, Accra, and took him to Alexis Lodge at Afienya.
The court heard that the following day, Amewonye and Nuodio took Frederikus to Amewonye’s residence, where he was to stay.
ASP Anane further stated that on October 20, 2024, Frederikus became alarmed by the suspicious behaviour of Amewonye and Nuodio, and expressed his desire to return to his country.
The court heard that Amewonye locked Frederikus in his room, and with the assistance of the other accused kidnapped him (Frederikus), and demanded a ransom of €15,000 for his release.
ASP Anane stated that Frederikus negotiated with the accused, excluding Amewonye, to pay €5,000, but they insisted on collecting €8,000.
Prosecution said Nuodio provided the complainant with bank details to facilitate the transfer.
ASP Anane said when Frederikus delayed in providing the money, four of the accused, excluding Amewonye, took him at gunpoint to Stanbic ATM, at Mataheko, in Accra, and forced him to withdraw GH¢6,000.
The court heard that while the four waited for the €8,000 to be credited to their account, Frederikus managed to make a distress call to the police.
ASP Anane said the police arrived at the scene to rescue Frederikus, and apprehended the accused.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to the offenses, according to prosecution.
The court adjourned the case to October 29, 2024.
