Man on trial for kidnapping friends

A 26-year-old driver, Nicholas Hinaku, yesterday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly kidnapping his two friends, Solomon Nhyira Boateng and Michael Darko, on July 1 last year, and they have since not been seen.

The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge was granted GH¢100,000 bail with two sureties to be justified.

Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendant of Police, Kofi Blagodzie, said Boateng and Darko were friends of the accused and often went out together with him.

On July 1, 2010, Hinaku went to the house of Boateng at Taifa in Accra, and invited him for an outing Darko who was with Boateng at the time, joined them in Boateng's unregistered white Hyundai Asant saloon car.

According to the prosecution, they went to Akuapem Akropong and that was the last time Boateng and Darko were seen.

ASP Blagodzie said Hinaku returned to Accra the following day, July 2, 2010 without his friends and the car.

After sometime when the parents of the two young men could not be traced, they reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested.

ASP Blagodzie told the court that it was obvious during investigations that the accused knew the whereabouts of the two persons. He therefore asked the court for more time to investigate the matter.

The presiding judge, Mr. Kyei Boaffour, adjourned the case to February 9.