The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, has granted bail to a military officer and four other individuals charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping and robbery of a Dutch national.
The accused, including W.O.1 Elorm John Ahiakpor, a 50-year-old military officer stationed at Burma Camp, all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The other accused are; Silas Amewonye, a 25-year-old farmer; Farouk Nuodio, a 32-year-old trader; Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah, also known as ‘Aljazeera’, a 49-year-old trader and Michael Nana Addo, a 25-year-old carpenter.
Bail was set at GH¢150,000 with three sureties for Amewonye, while Ahiakpor, Nuodio, Yeboah, and Addo each received bail set at GH¢100,000 with two sureties.
The case is adjourned to November 18 for further proceedings.
Charges and Allegations
The accused faces charges including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, actual kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery, under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29).
Prosecutor ASP Kofi Anane presented that the victim, Lodewijk Marinus Frederikus, a Dutch national, arrived in Ghana on October 17, 2024 to meet Silas Amewonye, with whom he reportedly had a personal relationship.
According to the prosecution, the accused, including Nuodio and Addo, allegedly lured Frederikus to Alexis Lodge in Afienya, before taking him to Amewonye’s residence.
On October 20, 2024 Frederikus reportedly became suspicious of Amewonye and his accomplices and expressed a desire to leave the country.
However, he was allegedly confined by the group.
Ransom Demands and Police Intervention
The accused, including W.O.1 Ahiakpor, allegedly demanded a ransom of €15,000 from Frederikus, later reducing the amount to €8,000 after negotiation.
They forced Frederikus to withdraw GH¢6,000 from a Stanbic Bank ATM at gunpoint, while awaiting the €8,000 transfer.
Frederikus managed to alert the police, who promptly intervened, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the accused.
During police interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted to the offences, resulting in the charges being filed.
