The Circuit Court in Accra has rescinded its bench warrant issued for the arrest of a military officer accused of being involved in a GH¢136,000 recruitment scam.
This occurred after Captain Abel Nartey, stationed at Army Headquarters, Burma Camp, who is alleged to have collected GH¢120,000 out of the GH¢136,000 together with another person to facilitate the enlistment of some individuals into various security services in the country, was produced by the military on Tuesday, July 9.
High-ranking officers of the Ghana Armed Forces produced the accused person in court on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, after their attention was drawn via social media and media publications.
The military denied the prosecution’s claims that they had blatantly refused to produce the accused to the police to face the law despite several efforts.
Dr. Jamal Tonzua, counsel for Captain Nartey, who is the second accused, said his client’s appearance in court on Tuesday, July 9, was a clear testament that he is ready to stand trial.
Captain Abel Nartey, who is standing trial with Clement Ayomah, another military officer, pleaded not guilty to two counts of offenses: conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically defrauding by false pretenses, and defrauding by false pretenses.
The Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, has admitted him to self-recognizance bail in the sum of GH¢100, while the case has been adjourned to July 18.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the court has directed Captain Nartey to make himself available to the police for investigation while the case has been adjourned to July 18.
Argument
In his submissions to the court to rescind the bench warrant for his client, Dr. Jamal Tonzua said that his client, who is the second accused, was present in court, which justified the effect of the bench warrant.
“This court issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the second accused (Captain Abel Nartey), and the purpose was for him to come and stand trial, which he has done this morning (Tuesday, July 9).”
“My lord, I would plead with the court to rescind the bench warrant because the purpose for which it was issued has been served,” Dr. Tonzua prayed to the court.
“We also want to put on record that the second accused (Captain Nartey) was not evasive with police investigators and is ready to stand trial.”
High Military Delegations
Counsel in his submission for the bench warrant to be rescinded added, “I also want to put on record that the Army Commander at Army Headquarters has detailed the Director of the Legal Department of the Army, Col. Felix Korbieh, to accompany the second accused (Captain Nartey) to ensure that he complied with the laws.”
He further submitted that the officers where Captain Nartey works were also detailed to accompany him to the court to ensure that he complied with the laws as required.
To buttress his point, Dr. Tonzua added, “Military Police personnel have also been detailed to escort the second accused (Captain Nartey) to court to ensure he complied with what the law requires.”
Counsel argued that these circumstances point to one fact: the Ghana Armed Forces is interested in matters of this nature and, as a disciplined institution, does not condone or connive with crime and at all times will collaborate with state institutions, especially the criminal justice system, like the police and the court, to ensure that crime is duly investigated and offenders punished.
Counsel asserted that his client is available in court to fully cooperate with the police and subject himself to the court throughout this trial.
“The circumstances of this morning also point to the fact that the second accused (Captain Nartey) is not a flight risk because he is under the watchful eyes of the military.”
“He has been led to this honorable court by elite senior officers who are men and women of substance and will ensure that at all times he makes himself available to stand trial.”
He submitted that his client was available to subject himself to the processes to continue and to assist the police with their investigation processes of the matter.
Counsel prayed the court to rescind the bench warrant because its purpose had been served.
No Opposition
Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, the prosecutor in the matter, said, “The military has done the needful, and we are not opposed to the request for the bench warrant to be rescinded.”
“It is our prayer that the accused be made to report to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters for investigation to continue,” he prayed.
Brief Facts
Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, the prosecutor, said the complainant, George Ofori Amoako, is a trader residing at Darkuman.
He said that while Ayomah (the first accused) is a military officer stationed at Burma Camp, Capt. Nartey is stationed at the Training and Doctrine Command at Teshie.
Chief Inspector Alorwu said that in 2021, the complainant was introduced to Ayomah by one Vivian a military officer who has slots in the armed forces, and he expressed interest and contacted Ayomah for assistance.
The prosecutor said that Ayomah told the complainant that he and Capt. Nartey had many protocol slots in the security services.
This led to Ayomah collecting GH¢136,000 from the complainant and giving GH¢120,000 to Capt. Nartey to enlist 12 people into the Ghana Armed Forces, seven into the Ghana Police Service, and three into the Ghana Immigration Service.
He said that after collecting the said amount and presenting it to Captain Nartey, Ayomah took the remaining GH¢16,000.
After taking the money, Ayomah failed to honor his promise and began playing hide-and-seek with the complainant.
The prosecution said that in March 2023, a report was made to the police, and Ayomah was arrested.
But Capt. Nartey, despite being invited several times by the Regional CID, Accra, to assist in investigations, failed to honor the invitation.
“A wireless message was sent to the Military Police and the Army Headquarters for him to be produced, but they also failed to produce him.”
Chief Inspector Alorwu said that in Ayomah’s caution statement, he admitted collecting money from the complainant and mentioned that some of it was given to Capt. Nartey.
The prosecution said Ayomah has since refunded GH¢50,000.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
