Gbagbo �Bodyguard� Arrested

Abu Bartel, 37, who claims to be a former bodyguard of Laurent Gbagbo, a former President of Cote d�Ivoire, has been arrested by the Western Regional Police Command for fraud. The suspect was arrested when he decided to play a fast one on a Ghanaian and in the process revealed that he was into printing of fake currency notes. The Western Regional Police PRO, ASP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku confirmed the arrest and narrated how the suspect was arrested in an interview with DAILY GUIDE. She noted that on May 10, 2014 one Adwoa Hodiberth of Takoradi reported to the police that about two months ago someone called her on phone and introduced himself as Abu Bartel a former bodyguard of Laurent Gbagbo and currently living in Benin. She said the suspect told Adwoa that he was looking for a business opportunity with a French national who gave Adwoa�s number to him to call. He however could not mention the name of the French national. ASP Adiku noted that though Adwoa did not know any French man, she invited Bartel to Takoradi for a discussion. So on May 9, 2014, the alleged former bodyguard of Laurent Gbagbo arrived in Takoradi and lodged at Naakoff Hotel but gave his name to the hoteliers only as Alhaji. ASP Adiku added that on May 10, 2014, the suspect invited Adwoa to the hotel. Because Adwoa Hodiberth was suspicious, she informed the Takoradi District Police and a team of detectives were detailed to accompany her to the hotel. On reaching the hotel the suspect asked Adowa to come into his room, but she refused and sent him to her car which was parked on the hotel premises. Abu Bartel told Adwoa that he was interested in the oil sector, but Adwoa said she was into real estate and quarry business. Abu then asked Adwoa to send him to her quarry site, but she refused. Abu Bartel then brought out 100 dollar note from his pocket and said he was also into printing of fake currency and enquired from Adwoa whether she was interested. Adwoa, however, declined and alerted the detectives, and Bartel was arrested. Upon interrogation, the suspect mentioned his real name as Benjamin Nana Kojo Otoo and said he was a car dealer and based in Accra. When a search was conducted on him, only GH�210.00 was found. According to the Police PRO, suspect Abu Bartel would soon be arraigned before court.