Three charged with harbouring Ocansey

The Osu Community Tribunal on Thursday refused bail to three persons charged with harbouring Amina B. Abubakari Sidiq, alias Hajia Baby Ocansey, a trader, who is facing trial at the Accra Regional Tribunal for defrauding the Bank of Ghana of 1.5 million dollar.

The pleas of Alhaji Mohammed Sheriff Pupulampu, a herbalist, Osman Mohammed, unemployed and Ibrahim Mohammed, a footballer, who are also charged with conspiracy were not taken.

The case was rescheduled for May 3. Chief Inspector Margaret Awuni, the prosecutor, told the tribunal chaired by Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills that although the police declared Ocansey a wanted person in April last year, the three men hid her at Madina Zongo in Accra where they all lived, until she was arrested upon a tip-off.

Chief Inspector Awuni said that at the time of harbouring Ocansey, the three men knew that they were committing a crime and assisting her to avoid lawful arrest.

Mr Kwame Dadzoe, counsel for the accused persons, pleaded with the tribunal to admit his clients to bail, since they are innocent.

He said at an appropriate time, he would lead evidence to show that the accused persons were wrongly charged.