Story: Mary Mensah
THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, has commended Ghanaians for comporting themselves and showing respect for the electoral procedures and regulations during last Friday’s polls.
He said even in the midst of challenges associated with the new voting system, Ghanaians were patient, tolerant and understanding.
Mr Quaye, who is also the Chairman of the 2012 National Elections Security Task Force, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the calm manner in which Ghanaians turned out to exercise their franchise showed the level to which “we have taken our democracy”.
He said the peace and understanding demonstrated by Ghanaians on election day in particular and their co-operation with personnel of the security services led to the success of the polls.
He commended personnel of the security services for their show of professionalism and dedication to reinforce the message that the security services would be professional and up to the task.
Mr Quaye said the conduct of the security personnel actually won them the hearts of Ghanaians, including those who wanted to “misbehave”.
He assured Ghanaians that the security services were there to protect them and enforce the law with integrity and urged the people to complement the efforts of the security services by respecting the rule of law.
The IGP also commended the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen Peter Blay, for his co-operation and support in the run-up to the elections and on election day.
He thanked members of the National Peace Council, particularly its Chairman, the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, for his tirelessness and dedication to ensure that nothing untoward happened to derail the peace and stability of the country.
He said the security plans outlined for the elections and beyond would continue to be implemented and, therefore, urged Ghanaians to go about their businesses in a lawful manner, saying the police were ready to deal ruthlessly with anyone who breached the peace.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Close your Ranks Boni Yayi advises political leaders
Story: Mary Mensah
The Chairman of the African Union (AU), President Thomas Boni Yayi, yesterday held separate talks with President John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents J.J. Rawlings and J.A. Kufuor and the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impress on them to initiate political dialogue to resolve any differences arising out of the just-ended elections.
Such dialogue, he said, would help ensure good governance and sustain the peace in the country.
He said victory for Ghana was victory for the whole of Africa and urged the government to open a political dialogue to seal all differences that arose after the elections.
The AU Chairman, who is also the President of Benin, congratulated the President-elect and Ghanaians on ensuring peace and stability in the country after the elections.
President Yayi was on a day’s official visit to congratulate President Mahama and explore opportunities for consolidating peace and stability in Ghana.
The NPP is disputing the results of the December 2012 presidential election.
During the courtesy call on President Mahama at the Castle, President Yayi applauded Ghanaians for the peaceful and successful conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
He said the AU, based on the report by international observers, was convinced that the elections had been free, fair and transparent.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to remain calm and use judicial means to address any grievances.
He said Ghana was seen as a reference point of democracy in Africa, saying, “I am proud of the people of Ghana.”
President Yayi congratulated the Electoral Commission (EC) on the professional manner it conducted the biometric system of voting.
He commended the political leaders, including Nana Akufo-Addo, for their commitment to democracy.
The AU Chairman asked President Mahama to work towards creating jobs for the youth, growing agriculture, promoting education and providing water for the people.
He again stressed the need for the government to work towards fighting corruption.
President Yayi urged President Mahama to try to move the legacy of Ghana’s First President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
He used the opportunity to invite President Mahama to the next AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 2013.
Responding, President Mahama promised to have an inclusive system where all Ghanaians would be given the opportunity to contribute to Ghana’s development.
“The EC has done a good job. I thank them for consolidating our democracy,” he said.
The President said although it was the first time Ghanaians were using the biometric system of voting, coupled with the technical glitches with the verification machines, Ghanaians had the patience to join the queues and vote.
He said the government had constituted a transitional team, in compliance with the Constitution, which calls for the formation of a constitutional team 24 hours after the declaration of election results.
He said Ghanaians would continue to consolidate the country’s democracy to maintain the country’s enviable democratic record.
When he paid a courtesy call on former President Rawlings at his residence at Ridge in Accra, President Boni said Ghana was a great country and the heart of Africa in terms of democracy, a credential which all Africans were proud of.
President Boni commended former President Rawlings for being a strong pillar in Ghana’s democratic dispensation.
He advised all Ghanaians to endeavour to enjoy the peace and ensure its sustenance for generations yet unborn
For his part, former President Rawlings advised all Ghanaians to make every effort to ensure that the peace they were enjoying was sustained after the elections.
He said the sense of responsibility exhibited by Ghanaians during the elections indicated that peace was deeply rooted in their hearts.
He, therefore, advised the people not to do anything to disturb the peace for which the rest of the world was full of admiration.
He advised the government to take the concerns raised by the opposition seriously and investigate them to the letter.
Two Nigerians Nabbed for Diverting $13,978 belonging to Ghanaian Peacekeepers
Story: Mary Mensah
TWO Nigerians have been arrested for allegedly attempting to divert $13,978 belonging to Ghanaian peacekeepers after they had succeeded in hacking into the e-mails of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The suspects, Peter Okechukwu, 32, and Emmanuel Ifedi, 31, were arrested by officials of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at a branch of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) in Accra where they had gone to cash the money.
According to the Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police Mr Prosper Agblor, in November this year the two suspects managed to enter the e-mails of Continental African Trading Limited (CATAL) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) GHANBATT 76 and intercepted all electronic communications between the two parties.
CATAL, an international organisation, had been supplying home appliances to Ghanaian peacekeeping troops on various missions at different locations in the world.
Recently, CATAL was contacted, as usual, by the GAF to supply home appliances to UNIFIL GHANBATT 76 peacekeeping troops in Lebanon.
Mr Agblor said there was correspondence concerning the supply of the items between CATAL and the military through the Internet.
Along the line, he said, the e-mails between the GAF and CATAL were hacked into by the two Nigerians, who intercepted all mails from both ends and replied them as if the replies were coming from the rightful receivers of the e-mails.
He said the two suspects, using the identity of CATAL, sent an e-mail to the GAF instructing it to pay $13,978 into a UBA account number 01011651102235 as part payment for the supply of the goods.
Upon receipt of the information, the GAF transferred $13,978 into the account as instructed by the two suspects.
Mr Agblor said CATAL realised that the GAF had suddenly stopped communicating with the company on matters relating to the transfer of the money and so it followed up with a phone call and detected that the GAF had paid $13,978 into an account number supplied by CATAL.
He said it was at that stage that the two organisations realised that someone had hacked into their e-mails and quickly reported the issue to the Documentation and Visa Fraud Unit of the CID.
Mr Agblor said the Business Development Manager of CATAL reported the case to the police and checks at the bank revealed that the money had not yet been cashed by the suspects.
The police quickly mounted surveillance at the bank, awaiting the arrival of the suspects to cash the money.
According to the CID boss, on November 11, 2012, Okechukwu, who happened to be the owner of the said account, was arrested when he turned up at the bank to cash the amount.
Upon interrogation, the police said, Okechukwu admitted to the offence but mentioned Ifedi as the master brain behind the whole deal and led the police to Ifedi’s house at Ashaley Botwe, an Accra suburb.
Mr Agblor said investigations were still ongoing, after which the two would be put before court.
TWO Nigerians have been arrested for allegedly attempting to divert $13,978 belonging to Ghanaian peacekeepers after they had succeeded in hacking into the e-mails of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The suspects, Peter Okechukwu, 32, and Emmanuel Ifedi, 31, were arrested by officials of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at a branch of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) in Accra where they had gone to cash the money.
According to the Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police Mr Prosper Agblor, in November this year the two suspects managed to enter the e-mails of Continental African Trading Limited (CATAL) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) GHANBATT 76 and intercepted all electronic communications between the two parties.
CATAL, an international organisation, had been supplying home appliances to Ghanaian peacekeeping troops on various missions at different locations in the world.
Recently, CATAL was contacted, as usual, by the GAF to supply home appliances to UNIFIL GHANBATT 76 peacekeeping troops in Lebanon.
Mr Agblor said there was correspondence concerning the supply of the items between CATAL and the military through the Internet.
Along the line, he said, the e-mails between the GAF and CATAL were hacked into by the two Nigerians, who intercepted all mails from both ends and replied them as if the replies were coming from the rightful receivers of the e-mails.
He said the two suspects, using the identity of CATAL, sent an e-mail to the GAF instructing it to pay $13,978 into a UBA account number 01011651102235 as part payment for the supply of the goods.
Upon receipt of the information, the GAF transferred $13,978 into the account as instructed by the two suspects.
Mr Agblor said CATAL realised that the GAF had suddenly stopped communicating with the company on matters relating to the transfer of the money and so it followed up with a phone call and detected that the GAF had paid $13,978 into an account number supplied by CATAL.
He said it was at that stage that the two organisations realised that someone had hacked into their e-mails and quickly reported the issue to the Documentation and Visa Fraud Unit of the CID.
Mr Agblor said the Business Development Manager of CATAL reported the case to the police and checks at the bank revealed that the money had not yet been cashed by the suspects.
The police quickly mounted surveillance at the bank, awaiting the arrival of the suspects to cash the money.
According to the CID boss, on November 11, 2012, Okechukwu, who happened to be the owner of the said account, was arrested when he turned up at the bank to cash the amount.
Upon interrogation, the police said, Okechukwu admitted to the offence but mentioned Ifedi as the master brain behind the whole deal and led the police to Ifedi’s house at Ashaley Botwe, an Accra suburb.
Mr Agblor said investigations were still ongoing, after which the two would be put before court.
Police in Full Control-Top Police Officer assures public
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Police Administration has assured the public that it is on top of the security situation in the country, spite of the several instances of violent clashes between supporters of the two main political parties in parts of Accra and other places.
It said the police would do everything possible to ensure that the isolated cases of violence did not degenerate into widespread conflict.
The Director-General of Police Operations, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr John Kudalor, who gave the assurance, said the security measures put in place for the elections were still in full force and that security personnel were also firmly on the ground.
According to Mr Kudalor, the security plan which was put in place for the management of the elections was in three phases, noting that the first two phases had been implemented, while the last phase, expected to take care of post-election eventualities, would be extended beyond the Christmas festivities and the inauguration of the president-elect and thereafter.
He said throughout the country, reports reaching the headquarters indicated that the situation was relatively calm in all the regions, except the national capital and the Bekwai area where a man had alleged been wounded.
Mr Kudalor said concerning the incident which occurred at the Makola Market in Accra, the police received reports on some clashes there and quickly responded to bring the situation under control
He said people should not be alarmed at what was happening because the security agencies were in control, adding that normal and foot patrols had been intensified throughout the country to nip any violence in the bud.
He said the meeting between security chiefs and the chairmen of the two leading parties should send a signal to their supporters to listen to them to avoid any problem.
“There is no cause for alarm. We have regrettably and unfortunately recorded a few incidents, though, but it isn’t a situation that calls for throwing hands in the air in despair,” he stated.
“People should not be alarmed at what is happening; the security agencies are in control. We shouldn’t let the public feel that the situation has degenerated, as the media make it look or sound,” he explained.
According to Mr Kudalor, at worst, the appropriate measures would be employed to ensure peace and security in the country.
He advised supporters of the two parties to stay out of the streets and remain calm.
Meanwhile, the Metro Security Committee (MESEC) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has added its voice to the assurances by the police to ensure the safety of all residents in the capital.
The assurance comes in the wake of recent disturbances at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Makola Market, both busy commercial centres in the city.
Addressing the media after hours of a closed-door emergency meeting between the police and MESEC, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr Alfred Vanderpuye, said, “The police are in readiness to protect every individual going about his or her legitimate duties.”
He expressed concern over the rising tension and pockets of criminal activities, including murders and stabbing of innocent residents, following the declaration of the results of the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.
An attack on some traders at the Kantamanto Market brought about confusion in the central business district of the metropolis on Thursday, December 13, 2012.
As part of measures to curtail the increasing tension fueled by political rivalry, Dr Vanderpuye said, “All political parties are advised to restrain their supporters from taking the law into their own hands and visiting violence on innocent residents.”
He advised residents to report to the police any group of persons whom they suspected were organising themselves to attack anybody or call 18555 or 191 or 03022773906.
THE Police Administration has assured the public that it is on top of the security situation in the country, spite of the several instances of violent clashes between supporters of the two main political parties in parts of Accra and other places.
It said the police would do everything possible to ensure that the isolated cases of violence did not degenerate into widespread conflict.
The Director-General of Police Operations, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr John Kudalor, who gave the assurance, said the security measures put in place for the elections were still in full force and that security personnel were also firmly on the ground.
According to Mr Kudalor, the security plan which was put in place for the management of the elections was in three phases, noting that the first two phases had been implemented, while the last phase, expected to take care of post-election eventualities, would be extended beyond the Christmas festivities and the inauguration of the president-elect and thereafter.
He said throughout the country, reports reaching the headquarters indicated that the situation was relatively calm in all the regions, except the national capital and the Bekwai area where a man had alleged been wounded.
Mr Kudalor said concerning the incident which occurred at the Makola Market in Accra, the police received reports on some clashes there and quickly responded to bring the situation under control
He said people should not be alarmed at what was happening because the security agencies were in control, adding that normal and foot patrols had been intensified throughout the country to nip any violence in the bud.
He said the meeting between security chiefs and the chairmen of the two leading parties should send a signal to their supporters to listen to them to avoid any problem.
“There is no cause for alarm. We have regrettably and unfortunately recorded a few incidents, though, but it isn’t a situation that calls for throwing hands in the air in despair,” he stated.
“People should not be alarmed at what is happening; the security agencies are in control. We shouldn’t let the public feel that the situation has degenerated, as the media make it look or sound,” he explained.
According to Mr Kudalor, at worst, the appropriate measures would be employed to ensure peace and security in the country.
He advised supporters of the two parties to stay out of the streets and remain calm.
Meanwhile, the Metro Security Committee (MESEC) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has added its voice to the assurances by the police to ensure the safety of all residents in the capital.
The assurance comes in the wake of recent disturbances at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Makola Market, both busy commercial centres in the city.
Addressing the media after hours of a closed-door emergency meeting between the police and MESEC, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr Alfred Vanderpuye, said, “The police are in readiness to protect every individual going about his or her legitimate duties.”
He expressed concern over the rising tension and pockets of criminal activities, including murders and stabbing of innocent residents, following the declaration of the results of the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.
An attack on some traders at the Kantamanto Market brought about confusion in the central business district of the metropolis on Thursday, December 13, 2012.
As part of measures to curtail the increasing tension fueled by political rivalry, Dr Vanderpuye said, “All political parties are advised to restrain their supporters from taking the law into their own hands and visiting violence on innocent residents.”
He advised residents to report to the police any group of persons whom they suspected were organising themselves to attack anybody or call 18555 or 191 or 03022773906.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Two narcotics suspects wanted by police
Two narcotics suspects wanted by police
Story: Mary Mensah
The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has mounted a search for two men said to have aided the shipment of large quantities of Indian hemp and cocaine to the United Kingdom two months ago.
The two suspects, Obed Amevor, 45, from the Aviation Profiling Security Services (APSS) and Frank Amoah, alias Kofi, a 50-year-old freight forwarder, are alleged to have gone into hiding soon after the seizure of the drugs at London’s Heathrow Airport.
According to the Deputy Executive Secretary of NACOB, Nii Lante Blankson, soon after the seizure of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana in London, the two went into hiding and all efforts to trace their whereabouts had so far proved futile.
He said an Accra Circuit Court had issued a warrant for the arrest of the two suspects and indicated that a handsome reward awaited anyone who volunteered information that would lead to their arrest.
He, therefore, appealed to members of the public with any information that would lead to their arrest to contact the offices of NACOB or the nearest police station.
On September 24, 2012, officials of the Border Force in the UK discovered 1.5 tonnes of cannabis, with a street value of around £4.3 million, in three separate freight containers which had originated from Accra, Ghana.
The seizure was the largest of its kind at Heathrow in several years.
In October, British officials announced that they had intercepted another drug consignment smuggled from Ghana, a day after a similar seizure.
Officials at the Heathrow Airport said a consignment of cocaine concealed in plantains from Ghana was seized a day after the biggest cannabis haul seizure from Ghana at the airport.
The UK Border Force said the cocaine weighed about 7.5 kg. The agency found the consignment on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 hidden inside plantains within a larger freight consignment of fruits and vegetables from Ghana.
An exporter who allegedly masterminded the trafficking of the drugs through the Kotoka International Airport to Heathrow was later arrested after thorough investigations.
The suspect, Francis Kwame Asante, 64, aka Wofa, was arrested in Accra in a successful NACOB and Bureau of National Investigations joint operation but his two accomplices, Amoah and Amevor, managed to escape.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has mounted a search for two men said to have aided the shipment of large quantities of Indian hemp and cocaine to the United Kingdom two months ago.
The two suspects, Obed Amevor, 45, from the Aviation Profiling Security Services (APSS) and Frank Amoah, alias Kofi, a 50-year-old freight forwarder, are alleged to have gone into hiding soon after the seizure of the drugs at London’s Heathrow Airport.
According to the Deputy Executive Secretary of NACOB, Nii Lante Blankson, soon after the seizure of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana in London, the two went into hiding and all efforts to trace their whereabouts had so far proved futile.
He said an Accra Circuit Court had issued a warrant for the arrest of the two suspects and indicated that a handsome reward awaited anyone who volunteered information that would lead to their arrest.
He, therefore, appealed to members of the public with any information that would lead to their arrest to contact the offices of NACOB or the nearest police station.
On September 24, 2012, officials of the Border Force in the UK discovered 1.5 tonnes of cannabis, with a street value of around £4.3 million, in three separate freight containers which had originated from Accra, Ghana.
The seizure was the largest of its kind at Heathrow in several years.
In October, British officials announced that they had intercepted another drug consignment smuggled from Ghana, a day after a similar seizure.
Officials at the Heathrow Airport said a consignment of cocaine concealed in plantains from Ghana was seized a day after the biggest cannabis haul seizure from Ghana at the airport.
The UK Border Force said the cocaine weighed about 7.5 kg. The agency found the consignment on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 hidden inside plantains within a larger freight consignment of fruits and vegetables from Ghana.
An exporter who allegedly masterminded the trafficking of the drugs through the Kotoka International Airport to Heathrow was later arrested after thorough investigations.
The suspect, Francis Kwame Asante, 64, aka Wofa, was arrested in Accra in a successful NACOB and Bureau of National Investigations joint operation but his two accomplices, Amoah and Amevor, managed to escape.
Ghana Post official arrested with three others for trafficking drugs through the post
Story: Mary Mensah
FOUR persons, including an official of Ghana Post and three Nigerians, have been arrested for allegedly trafficking in narcotic drugs through the post.
The suspects — Ms Philosophina Sackey, 53, a Deputy Manager of Post at Ghana Post; Augustine Nwosu, 53, a food vendor; Samuel Ossy Owuamanam, 39, a trader, and Sunday Ene, also known as Edward Tetteh, 30, a spare parts dealer — were arrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) at their various hideouts in Accra on Monday.
According to the Deputy Executive Director of NACOB, Nii Lantey Blankson, the arrest of the four suspects was a collaborative effort between NACOB officials and their external partners in the United Kingdom and the Caribbeans.
He said about two weeks ago, NACOB had information from its partners that some people had been sending drugs through the post.
He said the partners hinted that a parcel containing a quantity of cocaine had been sent by one Solomon Olembe from Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago and that the parcel had been addressed to one Phina Sackey, a member of staff of Ghana Post at the General Post Office in Accra.
He said based on that information, NACOB mounted surveillance at the General Post Office for almost two weeks before the parcel arrived and was delivered to Ms Sackey, who took custody of it and signed for it.
He said she was subsequently arrested and when she was questioned, she mentioned Ene as the owner of the parcel.
Ms Sackey was asked to call Ene and inform him about the arrival of the parcel, which she did, and not quite long after the call Ene arrived at the General Post Office, accompanied by Owuamanam, and the two of them were arrested as soon as the parcel was handed over to them.
Upon interrogation, the two mentioned Nwosu as the real owner of the parcel and quickly led NACOB officials to Nwosu’s house at Mallam, an Accra suburb, where he was arrested.
Nii Blankson said after a search of Nwosu’s room, fake 100 dollar notes totalling $10,000 were found.
Investigations are still ongoing, after which the suspects would be arraigned to answer charges, he added.
FOUR persons, including an official of Ghana Post and three Nigerians, have been arrested for allegedly trafficking in narcotic drugs through the post.
The suspects — Ms Philosophina Sackey, 53, a Deputy Manager of Post at Ghana Post; Augustine Nwosu, 53, a food vendor; Samuel Ossy Owuamanam, 39, a trader, and Sunday Ene, also known as Edward Tetteh, 30, a spare parts dealer — were arrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) at their various hideouts in Accra on Monday.
According to the Deputy Executive Director of NACOB, Nii Lantey Blankson, the arrest of the four suspects was a collaborative effort between NACOB officials and their external partners in the United Kingdom and the Caribbeans.
He said about two weeks ago, NACOB had information from its partners that some people had been sending drugs through the post.
He said the partners hinted that a parcel containing a quantity of cocaine had been sent by one Solomon Olembe from Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago and that the parcel had been addressed to one Phina Sackey, a member of staff of Ghana Post at the General Post Office in Accra.
He said based on that information, NACOB mounted surveillance at the General Post Office for almost two weeks before the parcel arrived and was delivered to Ms Sackey, who took custody of it and signed for it.
He said she was subsequently arrested and when she was questioned, she mentioned Ene as the owner of the parcel.
Ms Sackey was asked to call Ene and inform him about the arrival of the parcel, which she did, and not quite long after the call Ene arrived at the General Post Office, accompanied by Owuamanam, and the two of them were arrested as soon as the parcel was handed over to them.
Upon interrogation, the two mentioned Nwosu as the real owner of the parcel and quickly led NACOB officials to Nwosu’s house at Mallam, an Accra suburb, where he was arrested.
Nii Blankson said after a search of Nwosu’s room, fake 100 dollar notes totalling $10,000 were found.
Investigations are still ongoing, after which the suspects would be arraigned to answer charges, he added.
Three arrested for issuing fake certificates
Story: Mary Mensah
THREE suspects have been arrested by the police for allegedly issuing certificates of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and some public universities.
The suspects, said to be operating around the Orion Cinema at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, charge their clients between GH¢300 and GH¢400, depending on the type of certificate needed.
They allegedly scan original certificates and change the low grades on them to higher ones and later print them out again as original from WAEC or the various public universities.
The suspects are Righteous Atta Owusu, 43; Evans Danquah Darko, 42, and Albert Ofosu Appiah, 34, a graphic designer.
Briefing the press in Accra yesterday, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Patrick Timbillah, said on November 11, 2012, the Greater Accra Regional CID received information that a group of young men was dealing in fake university and WAEC certificates.
He said some plainclothesmen were subsequently sent to the area to ask for a change of the grades on their certificates.
Mr Timbillah said one of the suspects, Owusu, agreed to meet one of the policemen at the Orion Cinema at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle but Owusu sent Darko to meet the new customer, who happened to be a plainclothes policeman, for the money and the type of certificate he wanted.
According to the regional police commander, as soon as Darko got to the spot to meet the disguised policeman, he was arrested and sent to police station where, upon interrogation, Darko indicated that he had been sent by Owusu.
He said suspect Darko then led the police to a house at Abeka where Appiah, the graphic designer, was also arrested.
A search conducted in Appiah’s room revealed a Dell laptop, a scanner, certificates and results slips issued by almost all the public universities, as well as papers used in printing the certificates.
He said the suspects were currently assisting the police in their investigations and would be arraigned to face the appropriate charges collectively or individually.
In a related development, the Greater Accra Regional Police have arrested a man suspected to be snatching vehicles in Accra and Kumasi.
The suspect, Yaw Afrifa, 32, also believed to be in the drug business, is said to have been on the police wanted list for more than eight months now.
According to Mr Timbillah, Afrifa was arrested at Dansoman on November 14, 2012 following a tip-off when he arrived from Kumasi to allegedly undertake robbery activities.
He said Afrifa would be transferred to the Kumasi Police where many robbery cases were pending against him.
THREE suspects have been arrested by the police for allegedly issuing certificates of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and some public universities.
The suspects, said to be operating around the Orion Cinema at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, charge their clients between GH¢300 and GH¢400, depending on the type of certificate needed.
They allegedly scan original certificates and change the low grades on them to higher ones and later print them out again as original from WAEC or the various public universities.
The suspects are Righteous Atta Owusu, 43; Evans Danquah Darko, 42, and Albert Ofosu Appiah, 34, a graphic designer.
Briefing the press in Accra yesterday, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Patrick Timbillah, said on November 11, 2012, the Greater Accra Regional CID received information that a group of young men was dealing in fake university and WAEC certificates.
He said some plainclothesmen were subsequently sent to the area to ask for a change of the grades on their certificates.
Mr Timbillah said one of the suspects, Owusu, agreed to meet one of the policemen at the Orion Cinema at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle but Owusu sent Darko to meet the new customer, who happened to be a plainclothes policeman, for the money and the type of certificate he wanted.
According to the regional police commander, as soon as Darko got to the spot to meet the disguised policeman, he was arrested and sent to police station where, upon interrogation, Darko indicated that he had been sent by Owusu.
He said suspect Darko then led the police to a house at Abeka where Appiah, the graphic designer, was also arrested.
A search conducted in Appiah’s room revealed a Dell laptop, a scanner, certificates and results slips issued by almost all the public universities, as well as papers used in printing the certificates.
He said the suspects were currently assisting the police in their investigations and would be arraigned to face the appropriate charges collectively or individually.
In a related development, the Greater Accra Regional Police have arrested a man suspected to be snatching vehicles in Accra and Kumasi.
The suspect, Yaw Afrifa, 32, also believed to be in the drug business, is said to have been on the police wanted list for more than eight months now.
According to Mr Timbillah, Afrifa was arrested at Dansoman on November 14, 2012 following a tip-off when he arrived from Kumasi to allegedly undertake robbery activities.
He said Afrifa would be transferred to the Kumasi Police where many robbery cases were pending against him.
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