Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 15 August 2012

Source: GNA

Instrumentalists in court for impersonation at President Mills funeral

Frank Asare Cobbinah, a 21-year-old instrumentalist, nabbed at the Independence Square during the funeral of the late President John Evans Atta Mills for wearing police officer’s uniform, on Wednesday appeared before a District Magistrate's Court in Accra.

Cobbinah, who pleaded not guilty to impersonation, was granted GH ?5,000 bail with a surety to re-appear on August 27.

The suspect told the court that he was invited to the funeral by a friend who he alleged was a member of the Ghana Police Band, but he did not meet him. He said the uniform he wore was a Police cadet uniform, which he used in school in 2011.

Mr. Kofi Awuku Peprah, counsel for Cobbina, prayed the court to admit his client to bail since he would not abscond and would report to the Police until the substantive matter was dealt with.

The counsel said his client went to the independence square due to the invitation by his friend.

The prosecution said the suspect was arrested on August 10, this year during the funeral of the late President by police personnel in plain cloth.