Witness Appears In Amoateng's Case

The State on Tuesday presented its third prosecution witness in the case involving Eric Amoateng, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, over a forged passport. The witness Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Frank Anane was mentioned by the second prosecution witness, Ms Barbara Inkum, as the one she contacted to assist her acquire the passport which was allegedly forged and used by Amoateng. Assistant Superintendent Anane said in 2008, he was asked by Barbara�s mother in Koforidua to assist her daughter acquire a passport. The prosecution witness said Barbara forwarded all the necessary documents to him in Accra which he also submitted to the passport office and monitored the process till the passport was issued. Assistant Superintendent Anane, said he called Barbara's mother twice to inform her of the completion of the document, but after some time, he lost contact with her and therefore did not hear from her again. The Immigration Officer could therefore not tell whether Barbara received the passport or not. Barbara, during her evidence denied receiving the document. Both witnesses also denied any involvement with Amoateng. Amoateng is alleged to have travelled to Ghana with a female Ghanaian passport number H2347080 after serving his conviction abroad. The accused person pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail of GH� 200,000.00. He is to report to the Police every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The case of the state was that in December 2005, the accused went to the United States. In the same month, he was arrested for possessing heroin, a narcotic drug. Amoateng served his sentence and on July 30 he was released from prison. DSP Dery said on August 7 the accused arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on board a Delta Airline at 1420 hours. Going through arrival formalities it was detected that he had in his possession a Ghanaian passport number H2347080, which was allegedly forged, with the bio data page substituted. Investigations, according to DSP Dery, revealed that Amoateng�s passport belonged to one Barbara Inkum and the said passport was issued on February 2009 a time he (Amoateng) was in prison. The case was accordingly adjourned to November 17.