Sports Development Officer granted bail

Accra, Aug. 20, GNA - James Dennis Armah, a Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council, who was alleged to have collected GH¢4,000 each from 14 able persons to enable them participate in a sports tournament for the deaf in Australia last month, was on Thursday granted GH¢50,000 bail with four sureties with one to be justified. Armah appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on August 7, charged with false reports injuring the reputation of the State.

As part of the bail condition, Armah is to report to the Police three times in a week until he is otherwise directed by the court. Armah has pleaded not guilty to the charge and would reappear on September 10. The three-member defence team of the accused prayed the court to admit him to bail since he had shown good faith by comporting himself. According to the defence lawyers, if Armah had wanted to abscond he would not have waited for the Police to arrest him in his office. They contended that they were ready to abide by the terms of the court.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP) P. K. Frimpong told the court that investigations were ongoing and if the court should grant bail to Armah, he should be made to report to the Police. DSP Frimpong said the State was seeking the assistance of Interpol to apprehend the persons who were at large after taking part in the trip to Australia. The court presided over by Mr D.E.K. Daketsey after listening to the defence and prosecution admitted Armah to bail.

The prosecution's case is that in December 2008, Armah and his accomplice, who is yet to be identified, sent a letter and a list to the Australia Deaf Association to play football in that country. Their Australian counterparts accepted to host the tournament in July. Armah and his accomplice therefore 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 for July 20-27. Armah allegedly charged each of the 14 people GH¢4,000 each but returned with none of them.