Ghanaian Times

Chief accused of kidnapping

In a front page splash, the Ghanaian Times reports that Nana Asaman Kwao II, 53, chief of Oyoko Breman in Ashanti, who photocopied a bench warrant ostensibly to arrest a farmer but rather kidnapped him in connection with a land dispute, was on Monday arraigned before a Sunyani High Court.

The paper says with him in the dock were five accomplices, including his linguist.

The five who allegedly posed as soldiers from the Sunyani Military Barracks on a special assignment from the Castle, were said to have kidnapped the farmer, Oscar Ofori-Atta of Adugyama also in Ashanti.

The chief, the paper says, is facing a charge of aiding and abetting kidnapping. He pleaded not guilty and was granted 2 million cedis bail with a surety until August 2.

The five accomplices, who all pleaded not guilty to forging military identity cards, possessing an offensive weapon, assault, threat, posing as public officers and attempted kidnapping, were each granted 4 million cedis bail with one surety, says the Times. They are also to re-appear on August 2.