A military officer, WOI Elorm John Ahiakpor, and four other individuals have pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery and kidnapping in connection with the abduction of a Dutch national.

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The accused appeared before an Accra Circuit Court, where they faced charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and kidnapping.

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The four accomplices are Silas Amewonye, a 25-year-old farmer; Farouk Nuodio, a 32-year-old trader; Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah, also known as Aljazeera, a 49-year-old trader; and Michael Nana Addo, a 25-year-old carpenter.

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The court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, heard the bail applications from the defense lawyers, Andy Vortia and Carlos De-Souza. Vortia, representing WOI Ahiakpor, argued that the charges were bailable and that the court should not rely solely on police claims. He pointed out that his client had no record of absconding and had served as a military officer for 24 years with an unblemished record.

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The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kofi Anane, opposed the bail request, citing the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation. ASP Anane urged the court to consider the potential consequences if the accused were convicted.

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After listening to both parties, the court adjourned the case to October 29, 2024.

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According to the prosecution, the complainant, Lodewijk Frederikus, a Dutch national, arrived in Ghana on October 17, 2024, to discuss a land purchase with Amewonye in Ningo Prampram. However, after staying with Amewonye and Nuodio for several days, Frederikus became suspicious of their behaviour and expressed his desire to return home.

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On October 20, 2024, Amewonye allegedly locked Frederikus in his room and, with the help of the other accused, kidnapped him, demanding a ransom of 15,000 Euros. Frederikus attempted to negotiate the amount down to 5,000 Euros, but the accused insisted on 8,000 Euros.

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When the ransom was delayed, the accused, excluding Amewonye, allegedly took Frederikus at gunpoint to a Stanbic ATM at Mataheko and forced him to withdraw GH¢6,000. Frederikus eventually made a distress call to the police, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the accused. During interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted to the offences.

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