Three persons were remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly kidnapping a 51-year-old man, at Pobiman, near Amasaman, in the Greater Accra Region.
The accused were said to have demanded GH¢300,000.00 before releasing the victim, who had travelled from Western Region to Accra to purchase an excavator.
Amewuga Nukpo, also known as (aka), Maame Water, Frank Tamakloe, aka Illegal, and Yusif Mohammed have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, kidnapping and causing harm.
Nukpo and Tamakloe are facing additional charge of kidnapping.
While Mohammed Yusif denied the charge, Nukpo and Tamakloe pleaded guilty with explanation.
The court, presided over by Mrs Susana Eduful, entered a plea of not guilty for Nukpo and Tamakloe and they would re-appear on August 23.
Two other accomplices; Nana Aboagye, aka Kobby Mensah, and David Aboagye are at large.
Counsel for Mohammed, Mr Gary Nimako, prayed the court to admit his client to bail because he had people who would stand as sureties for him and also had a fixed place of abode.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sylvester Asare told the court that the complainant was Mr Bright William.
Prosecution said accused resided at Accra and Kasoa and in July this year, the complainant reported to the police that some persons had kidnapped his brother, William Owusu Ntiamoah to an unknown destination.
ASP Asare said on June 28, Nukpo, Tamakloe, and others at large, kidnapped the victim at Pobiman, held him hostage in an uncompleted building and demanded GH¢300,000.00 from the family before they would release him (victim).
The court heard the victim contacted his family, including the complainant, to mobilise the GH¢300,000.00 for the captives so that he could be freed.
ASP Asare said the family was able to mobilise GH¢50,000 and informed the accused about it but they rejected the amount.
He said while the victim was in captivity, he was subjected to severe beatings and he sustained injuries.
ASP Asare said the accused also dug a hole and placed the victim in it for some time and when the money was not forth coming, accused transported the victim to Sefwi Asawinso Kasiemu in the Western North Region.
He said accused mixed grounded pepper with ginger and spread it on the victim’s wounds, and following a tip off, the police arrested accused, and rescued the victim and took him to hospital for treatment – GNA
