Joana Krah, 29, who faked a kidnapping story in Takoradi, last Friday, has been jailed six years in hard labour by the Takoradi Circuit Court A.
The court presided over by Justice Michael Ampadu, sentenced her to six years for deceit of public officer and two years for publication of false news intended to cause fear and panic, bringing the total jail terms to eight years.
However, since the sentences are to run concurrently, Joana,who pleaded guilty to the charges,would serve a six-year jail term.
The convict, according to the prosecution, faked kidnapping and demanded a ransom of GH₵5,000 from an evangelist, Francis Nyambo, her godfather in Takoradi.
When Joana mounted the witness box, she bent her head and kept weeping throughout the proceedings.
The court ordered Evangelist Nyambo, to cater for Joana’s three- year old boy, adding,if he was unable do that, he should get back to the court for the child to be taken to social welfare department.
Justice Ampadu said that the sentence must be a deterrent to others,who might attempt to engage in spreading false news about kidnapping and with the intention to defraud.
The judge said “Takoradi has been synonymous with kidnappings. The kidnapping of three Takoradi girls is still fresh on the minds of all citizens and it’s not good enough.People want to get money through kidnapping stories because of greed and abstentiouslives without considering the circumstances.This sentence is to serve as deterrent to others whothink they can use kidnapping”.
Earlier, the police was requested to ensure a pregnancy test for Joana, which was negative
Sergeant Robert AmonnoYawson told the court that Joana Krah conspired with Susana and Francis Awortwe, to feign kidnapping on Friday, October 22, after which a call was made to her adopted father in demand for a ransom.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
