Deaf Men Hearing: Officer appears in court

.... He charged 14 hearing persons GH¢4,000 each to make the trip
... Not one of them has so far returned

Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - James Armah, a Sports Development Officer of the National Sport Council, who allegedly collected GH¢4,000 each from 14 able persons to enable them participate in a sports tournament for the deaf held in Australia last month, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Friday.

He is charged with false reports with the intent of injuring the reputation of the state. He pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mr D. E. K. Daketsey remanded Armah into Police custody to reappear on August 20.

It would be recalled that Armah was said to have sent a number of hearing persons to Australia to participate in a friendly encounter with the Deaf Football Australia.

Deaf Football Australia threatened to drag the Association of Sports for the Disabled of Ghana (ASBOG) to the International Sports Confederation for the Disabled for sanctions over allegations of the sending of hearing players and demanded the refund of 14,789.00 US Dollars covering the cost of preparedness.

Mr Agyei Mensah, counsel for Armah applied for bail explaining that the charge preferred against his client did not constitute offences for which bail should be declined.

According to the counsel, his client was desirous to appear and stand trial, adding that he had no intention to abscond. Mr Mensah contended that no one can tell whether those who absconded after the tournament were really able persons or not.

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP) Mr P. K. Frimpong informed the court that the Police would need the accused person to assist in conducting further investigations into the matter. DSP Frimpong said in December 2008, Armah and his accomplice(s), yet to be identified, sent a letter and a list to the Australia Deaf Association for a friendly football in Australia. Their Australian counterpart, the prosecution said accepted to host the tournament in July.

DSP Frimpong said based on that Armah and his accomplices obtained visas to enable the group to travel to Australia.

On July 18 the accused and a group of deaf and hearing persons departed to Australia to participate in the tournament slated on July 20-27. Armah allegedly charged each of the 14 hearing persons GH¢4,000 each to make the trip but none of them has so far returned. The prosecution said the accomplice was being sought by the Police.