Blog Crime Reports

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has provided clarifications regarding the operations of his office in his fight against corruption and related offences.

He explained that he has a distinct approach when inviting informants, compared to individuals considered as suspects.

Mr. Agyebeng highlighted that individuals categorized as suspects are generally requested to appear with their legal representatives.

The Special Prosecutor’s statement comes in response to his invitation and subsequent arrest of former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, who was later granted a GH¢2 million bail last month.

The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation was invited to address inquiries pertaining to alleged corruption and corruption-related offences concerning the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), he chaired.

“We treat everybody in the same manner when you appear before us. The nature of how you come to us is very crucial and very important. If you are my confidential source, whistleblower, there is a way I will contact you, and there is a way I will invite you. There is a way I will talk to you because I need information from you. But if you are appearing before me as a suspect, there is also a way. I do not invite you, I direct you to show up because it is a criminal investigation. You are directed to show up. And in the direction to show up, you are specifically told, what we are investigating and the subject matter of what we are investigating”.

He emphasized, “And then in the direction for you to come, we tell you that you are a person who is considered necessary for the investigation. And there is a specific direction for you to show up at a specific address for the interview. Then you are told of your rights, that when you are coming, you may come with the counsel of your choice”.

According to Mr. Agyebeng, whistleblowers are not required to appear with their lawyers, whereas suspects are instructed to bring their legal representatives.

“If I see you as a whistleblower, I consider you as a confidential source, I will not be telling you that when you are appearing before me, come with your lawyer. Why would you need a lawyer if you are coming to divulge some information which I may be interested in? But immediately I tell you that you are directed to show up and that come with a lawyer, then you should know that you are a suspect. And that goes for everyone who appears before us in that scheme of affairs,” he explained on Newsfile on Joy FM.

He noted that people are currently attempting to grasp the nature of his office and its operations.

“It is a unique institution with powers that people are now trying to understand,” Kissi Agyebeng stated.

The Barbados Police Service is seeking the assistance of the public in locating Dario Renaldo Harewood who is wanted for questioning in connection with serious criminal matters.

When Henderson Ricardo Simmons snatched a woman’s bag at knifepoint five years ago, he got away with a mere $115 in items.

Yesterday, he paid many times over for his crime when he was ordered to part with $5 000, in a combination of compensation and a fine, by the No. 5 Supreme Court.

Personnel at the Central Police Station are carrying out investigations into the unnatural death of a male at Ellis Village, St. Michael on May 29, 2023.

The police responded to a residence at Ellis Village, St. Michael about 7:30 p.m. On arrival, they viewed the body of a male hanging from the ceiling of his bedroom. A medical doctor pronounced death at the scene.

Police have not identified the man as yet.
Investigations are continuing into this matter.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing man.

He is Ranako Brathwaite, 26 years, of Fairfield Cross Road, Tudor Bridge, St Michael.

Brathwaite is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a slim build and dark complexion. He also has medium eyes, a small mouth, and a large head, and his hair is plaited in cornrows.

Those who help to hide illegal firearms or facilitate their movement are as much a danger to society as the actual gunmen.

So declared Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell as she sentenced self-confessed gunman Baggio Elson Roberto Roach to a starting point of eight years in jail yesterday in the No. 4 Supreme Court. He will serve a remaining 896 days or two years, 166 days from today.

The Barbados Police Service is on the scene in Green Hill Close, Silver Hill, Christ Church, where reports indicate that at least one person has been shot.

While Communications and Public Affairs Officer with the Service, Inspector Rodney Inniss, confirmed that police received a report of a shooting in the area around 2:32 p.m., he could not provide any further information at this time.

The Barbados Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing man. 

He is Orson Winslow DeFreitas, 71 years, of Lot 15 Clapham Park, St. Michael, an out-patient of the Psychiatric Hospital.

📸 This photo of Orson Winslow DeFreitas was provided by the Barbados Police Service.

Visit our website www.cbc.bb for the full article and more of today's top stories.

https://dailyguidenetwork.com/kwahu-nkwatia-chief-elders-convicted-for-contempt-of-court/

The Krachi East Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service is investigating the tragic death of a 55-year-old woman, who was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver.

Ama Wete, the deceased suffered her predicament on the outskirts of Kparekpare, a farming community in Dambai of the Oti Region on Thursday evening, June 1.

Sergeant Zakaria Asharift, of the MTTD told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that investigations were underway to ascertain the cause of the accident.

He confirmed to the GNA that the deceased suffered head injuries after being knocked down by a yet-to-be-identified vehicle.

He said the deceased was taken to the Worawora Government Hospital for postmortem after which the body would be released to the family for burial.

Meanwhile, the Police are asking for help in finding the driver who struck the woman on the street and anyone with information that could identify the suspect is encouraged to contact the nearest Police station.

Source: GNA

Seven out of some approximately hundred illegal miners who intruded the AngloGold Ashanti underground mining pit have been arrested after they willingly came out from the main exit point.

Several others are still in the pit for fear of being arrested and assaulted by the security.

Authorities including the security agencies are making frantic efforts to rescue supposedly trapped miners.

Information gathered indicates that the illegal miners were pleading that the security personnel should leave the exit points so that they could come out.

It appears the illegal miners would prefer rather be in the underground pit than come out and be arrested.

In a press release issued on May 30, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana said it is aware of the reports, but emphasizes that no person underground has been confined in any way, and any unauthorized person is encouraged to leave the mine at any time.

The statement went on to say that the company has notified the relevant authorities and is working closely with public security services.

According to the company, the mine’s management team has fortified the area and is ensuring that only authorized personnel can access underground work areas.

The company indicated that the safety and security of employees and community members remain the top priority, and the company is ready to provide any assistance required by the authorities in ensuring the safe exit of unauthorized persons.

“The intrusion of illegal miners into underground areas is a significantly dangerous activity, and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is taking measures to prevent it.”

The company urges anyone who is not authorized to be underground to leave immediately through the exit points where public security personnel are standing by.

The Supreme Court has cautioned and discharged a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Michael Kpessa-Whyte who was cited for contempt for calling the court ‘stupid’.

The University of Ghana lecturer was summoned to appear before the court today to show why he should not be punished for the comments which sought to bring disaffection to the court and denigrate its reputation.

The summons issued by the court indicated that Prof. Kpessa-Whyte on May 19, 2023, made disparaging comments on his Twitter handle, including one which read: “The highest Court of the Land has been turned into a ‘Stupid Court.”

The comments were made two days after the Supreme Court directed Parliament to expunge the name of now disqualified Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyekye Quayson, from its records, declaring his election null and void.

The summons also listed among others, comments such as “They have succeeded in turning a Supreme Court into a Stupid Court. Common – sense is now a scarce commodity.”

“A major element in the death of democracies is partisanship in the delivery of justice.

Our judges need lessons in political philosophy and ethics. Time will tell.”

The charge which indicated that his tweet had scandalised, ridiculed and prejudiced the court was read to him and pleaded his guilty although he had previously pleaded not guilty, and “guilty with explanation.”

A 5-member panel of the court presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu and assisted by Justices Avril Lovelace Johnson, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Samuel Asiedu and George Koomson convicted him on his own plea.

His lawyer, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, said the convict has regretted his action and subsequently pulled down the tweet and issued a public apology immediately the issue was brought to his attention.

“It is our humble prayer in all humility to plead for mercy, clemency from your Lordship’s seat of justice. We also are undertaking that such a sad and regrettable occurrence will not ever happen again,” his counsel added.

The court in its judgement cautioned and discharged him of the offence.

The police have arrested 48 illegal miners following their emergence from a mine shaft belonging to AngloGold Ashanti on Tuesday afternoon.

These individuals were part of a group of 300 illegal miners who had entered the mine shaft in search of gold deposits but became trapped in one of the shafts.

The police and military were deployed at the main exit of the shaft and instructed the miners to come out voluntarily. Subsequently, they were arrested and taken to a nearby police station.

In response to the arrests, a gathering of youth and relatives of the miners assembled at the Obuasi East District Assembly, demanding the release of the detainees.

The tense situation led to some individuals expressing their frustration by damaging the windows of a vehicle used to transport the arrested miners to the police station.

A significant number of miners have chosen to remain underground out of fear of being arrested.

On Tuesday, AngloGold Ashanti refuted suggestions that the over 300 illegal miners trapped in one of the company’s mine shafts were confined and unable to exit.

In a statement from the mining firm, it was explained that the trapped miners have not been confined and can exit on foot via the existing ramp from the mine.

“Unauthorized persons underground are able to exit on foot, using the existing ramp through the main access of this mining area. No person underground has been confined in any way, and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.

“Obuasi Gold Mine’s management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them.”

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Shoemaker-jilted-by-wife-hangs-himself-with-a-sponge-in-his-room-at-Ahafo-Mim-1776239

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing girl.

She is 13-year-old Hailey Naomi Taliah Howard, of Lower Carters Gap, Enterprise, Christ Church.  

Howard was last seen by her uncle, Shane Gravesande, 40 years, of Waterhall Land, Eagle Hall, St. Michael, at his residence around 12:25 am on May 28, 2023.

📸 The Barbados Police Service provided this photo of missing girl, 13-year-old Hailey Naomi Taliah Howard.

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mother-of-missing-police-bodyguard-makes-passionate-appeal-to-Ghana-Police-Service-1775735

Management of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) in the Ashanti Region says it is discussing with stakeholders, the appropriate time to recall some 500 students, who were asked to go home last Friday, May 26.

The students are reported to have gone on rampage on May 17, causing damage to school property.

The school met the parents of the students on Saturday, May 27 where they urged the authorities to strengthen security including the installation of CCTV cameras.

Principal of the Kumasi Technical Institute, Gabriel Kingsford Osei tells Newsmen parents are backing the management’s decision to instil discipline in the students.

“The parents having heard of the incident really became very sorry and the vice chairperson of the PTA stood on behalf of all parents and apologised for what had happened. Aside that, the comments parents are giving indicate that they have seen that discipline is the hallmark, and we cannot train the students without discipline. They have accepted to pay, and so we are now looking at how best we can recall these students and then take the next action to see to the damage that has been caused by these students.”

Students of the Institute went on a rampage when the management of the school decided to conduct a roll call after most of them failed to attend a Friday assembly.

The conduct of the students has also been reported to the Technical and Vocational Education Training Directorate for further action.

Between 2006 to 2008, Mustafa is believed to have been involved in insider dealing with seven other individuals. While employed at the London branch of investment bank JP Morgan Cazenove, he allegedly obtained information about future acquisitions and mergers, which were provided to others who then traded using this information. Over a two-year period, the group made approximately £2.5 million in criminal profits. In July 2008 Mustafa was arrested by the City of London Police and then released on bail.

It is believed he fled the UK around December 2009.

A middle-aged man who masturbated in front of two women on board a train has been jailed for a total of 26 months.

Dean Benjamin, 41, and of Stockingstone Road, Luton, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on 16 March where he pleaded guilty to outraging public decency.  
On 25 May, he returned to the same court and a judge sentenced him to a total of 26 months imprisonment.

He received 20 months for outraging public decency and being in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and six months for a second exposure offence investigated by Bedfordshire Police.  

At just after 5pm on 3 March, the victim was seated on-board a London to Nottingham train service when she noticed Benjamin leant on the luggage rack staring at her.

Moments later she looked back up and he had placed his hands down the front of his trousers and was clearly masturbating.

The victim texted British Transport Police (BTP) using its 61016 service and told a passing ticket inspector who moved her to the first-class carriage away from Benjamin.

He then ambled down the train to its first-class carriage and again began masturbating while staring at a second woman as she worked on her laptop.  

After being notified by the ticket inspector, an off-duty police officer on the service apprehended Benjamin until the train arrived at Kettering station where he was removed and immediately taken to police custody.  

DC Mohit Behl, investigating officer in the case, said: “Benjamin is quite simply a disgusting individual who targeted two lone women for his own sexual gratification.

“I hope his prison sentence serves as a stark warning to sexual offenders – we will do everything in our power to put your behind bars, without exception.

“If you experience or witness repulsive behavior such as this on the rail network, I urge you to report it to us either by texting 61016 as the victim did in this instance, or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

“Nothing is too small or too trivial to report, and we will always take you seriously.”