A Takoradi Habour Circuit Court ‘A’ on Tuesday, granted GH₵50,000 bail with two sureties to Stephen Kumi, 33, accused, in alleged fake kidnapping, that occurred in Mpohor,in the Western Region,
Granting the bail, the judge, Mr Michael Kwodjoe Ampadu, said he earlier refused accused bail to allow police to complete investigations.
He said, since the police had not indicated that they had completed investigations, accused could not continue to be in remand.
Kumi was arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Stephanie Kumiwaa, on October 17.
On November 4, Kumi, together with second accused, Connect FM presenter, Paa Kwesi Simpson, in Takoradi, pleaded not guilty to the charges of publication of false news intended to cause fear and alarm and false communication.
The court denied bail request and remanded the accused in police custody to appear again on November 16.
Simpson was earlier on police enquiry bail after his arrest last Tuesday.
Counsels for accused, Ebo Donkor and Calista Tetteh, argued that Simpson was responsible, well- known and had a specified abode and would be willing to show up any time in court.
But, Superintendent Emmanuel Basintale Amadu, told the court presided over by Mr Micheal Ampadu that, his posture as a well- known presenter, may interfere with investigations.
But Mr Ampadu said the first accused with his caliber in society could “distract” investigation.
On November 8, the Sekondi High Court granted Simpson, GH₵ 50,000 bail with two sureties after the Circuit Court refused same.
Simpson and Kumi were arrested by the Takoradi Police Divisional Command, for allegedly publishing fake kidnapping story, involving Stephanie Kumiwaa, 26, from Mpohor in the Western Region, on October 17, this year.
According to the police, Simpson’s story was published on www. ghanaweb.com on November 1.
However, checks at the Mpohor Police District Command indicated that no such case had been reported.
Kumi, the prosecution said, informed the police that he encountered the victim on Facebook and that they started dating.
On October 17, it said, Stephanie called Kumi to inform him that, she would visit him, but, did not show up.
However, on October 19, he (Kumi) received a call from a friend of Stephanie, that someone called on her mobile phone number, and said she,(Stephanie) had been kidnapped and the suspected kidnappers demanded a ransom of GH₵2,000.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
