The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has interdicted five police officers for their alleged involvement in extorting money from drivers in Asamankese in the Eastern region during patrol duties.
This was disclosed in a police wireless message signed by Chief Staff Officer, Alex K. Safo-Adu.
The interdiction of the officers followed the circulation of a video on social media in which the officers were captured engaging in the alleged extortion from road users.
The interdicted officers are C/INSPR William Tawiah; NO. 40845 G/SGT Ibrahim Iddi; NO.40921 G/SGT Richard Otoo; NO.44040 G/SGT Samuel Kumah; and NO.55125 G/CPL Richard Kpeanaah.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has directed that, with immediate effect, all weapons, uniforms and other police accoutrements in the possession of the interdicted personnel be collected into safe custody. He has also directed that investigations into the allegations be expedited.
Investigation
According to the Police, after the video started circulating on social media in respect of the alleged extortion and subsequent invocation of curses, the Divisional Commander of Asamankese, C/ SUPT. Felix Apedo, assisted by his Divisional Crime Officer, ASP/ C.T. Apronti, traced the victim of the alleged extortion to Anum Apapam.
“Victim who identified himself as Taminu, unemployed, aged 31, was met together with his mother, Fuseina Kpantey, at the premises of the Anum Apapam Police Station,” it said.
The police said the victim of the alleged extortion sent an alarm on Sunday January 2, 2022 when he was driving a DV plated Toyota Corolla saloon car belonging to his friend, one Nketiah Frank, from Anum Apapam to Asamankese to buy a car tyre for his private vehicle between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.
The victim claimed that on reaching Sukruntu, which is close to Asamankese, he met a 5-man team of police officers from the National Highway Patrol on board a white pickup, No.GP 2517. He added that he was searched, after which one of the police officers claimed that they had found a wrap of suspected Indian Hemp on the back seat.
He claimed that he was arrested and assaulted, adding that it took a friend, called Abu, who happened to have chanced upon the scene to plead on his behalf. Following that, he added, the police officers allegedly demanded and collected GHC500.00 from him through his friend before he was released.
The interdicted officers, upon invitation and interrogation, denied planting the suspected Indian Hemp on the complaint. They however admitted collecting GHC450 from the victim through his friend, Abu, before releasing him.
