Court Convicts Two Fake Police Officers

An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday convicted two fake Police Officers but deferred sentence.

The two- Michael Asare, Unemployed, and Ernest Kofi Baah, Taxi Driver, were accused of dressing in Police uniform, conspired and robbed one Louis Farouk of his bag containing an amount of Ghc2,500.00

The two were subsequently charged for possessing police accoutrement, and defrauding four persons by false pretence.

Michael pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing police accoutrement, and defrauding by false pretences but pleaded not guilty to the charge of Conspiracy and Robbery.

Ernest on the other hand pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery and not guilty to the charges of conspiracy, possessing police accoutrement, and defrauding by false pretence.

The court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh convicted the two on their own plea to the charges but deferred sentence to February 21.

The court is also to commence trial on the same date for the other charges they denied.

Proceedings as observed by the Ghana News Agency in court was that Prosecuting, the Police Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu, told the court that the first complainant Louis is a Mason and a resident of Ablekuma.

The Second, third and fourth complainants are Frank Ansah Sekyi, Ofori Atta, Shadrack Ofosu, all Farmers residing at Aburi, and fifth complainant Emmanuel Kumi, businessman, lives at Odorkor.

He said Micheal and Ernest both reside at Ablekuma.

On January 23, at about 1630 hours, the accused persons dressed in Police uniform on board a taxi with registration No. GT 2162 W attacked the first complainant with police shocker, subjected him to severe beating and robbed him of his bag containing cash of GH¢2,500.00 and bolted.

Louis made a report to the police and accused persons were subsequently arrested for investigation.

The prosecution said when a search was conducted on them, one fake Police Identity card bearing the name Michael, three black Police T-shirts, two pairs of Police boots, one Police helmet, one Police long baton, two pairs of Police trousers, two reflectors and one shocker which were used to perpetrate the crime were retrieved.

Prosecution told the court that while investigation was on going, Frank, Ofori, Shadrack and Emmanuel came to the station and reported that, the accused person claimed they were police Commanders by name Commander Wiafe and Commander Theresa from Police National Headquarters in charge of enlistment of the Ghana Police Service.

Police Chief Inspector Adu said they told the police that they could help them recruit their wards. The accused persons therefore demanded and collected an amount of GH¢42,000.00 and another GH¢8,500.00 under the pretext of recruiting their wards into the Ghana Police Service, but after collecting the money, they bolted.

He said when the accused persons were interrogated, they admitted the offences and stated that they faked as Police Officers and conspired to dupe the complainants.