Biney testifies in Editors' case

Farmer gets 10 years for defiling schoolgirl

Estate agent charged with fraud

Accra (Greater Accra) 4 Aug '99

Mr. Kwesi Biney, Acting Editor of the "Guide" newspaper, on Tuesday told a circuit court that, President Jerry John Rawlings allegedly complained at a public rally that the case in which two Editors are charged with sedition was being delayed.

Mr. Biney was testifying as a defence witness for Eben Quarcoo, former Editor of the "Free Press" standing trial with Nana Kofi Coomson of the "Ghanaian Chronicle".

In 1996, both published in their newspapers that the Government was dealing in narcotic drugs and that it was using the proceeds to purchase arms and ammunition, which it intended to use to destabilise the country if it lost the general elections

Before the witness could go on further, the court drew the attention of defence counsel, Mr. Akoto Ampaw, that the pieces of evidence witness was giving in respect of the President having allegedly made some remarks about the trial were not new on the court's records.

At this juncture witness ended his evidence.

Under cross-examination by Mr. Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney - General, witness said he is not happy with the offence preferred against the accused because the "basis on which they were charged was unconstitutional".

When Mr. Amidu asked him if he came to the court to say what pleased him, Mr. Biney replied that "what he would say would neither free nor incriminate them", adding that "it is the law that would determine the case".

Hearing continues on Thursday, August five.

GRi../

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Hohoe (Volta Region) 4 Aug. '99

For luring a nine-year-old girl into his room and abusing her sexually, Komla Adu, a 24 year-old farmer at Lolobi Kumasi in the Hohoe District has been jailed for 10 years in hard labour.

A Hohoe Circuit Court had heard that Adu had lured the primary school girl into his room under the under the pretext of giving her oranges.

While in the room the accused pounced on the girl and sexually abused her.

After the act, the girl came out of the room crying and narrated the incident to her uncle.

Prosecuting, Police Superintendent Osei Kwadwo Num-Ampofo told the court presided over by Mr. Wisdom Addo that a report was made to the police and the accused was arrested.

A medical report from the Hohoe Government Hospital, the prosecution said, confirmed that the girl was sexually abused.

Adu pleaded guilty.

GRi../

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Accra (Greater Accra) 4 Aug. '99

Richard Frempong, an estate agent, on Tuesday appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra, charged with defrauding a businessman of nine million cedis under the pretext of securing him a house to rent.

Frempong pleaded not guilty and was granted 10 million cedis bail with one surety to be justified.

He will re-appear on August 17.

Nana Kyerewaa Addo, who was charged with the same offence, was not in court.

The tribunal chaired by Mr. Charles Nyewolema heard that sometime in July 1997, Dr James Wiafe Ampofo, who had returned from Germany, wanted a house to rent and, therefore, contacted an estate agent.

Frempong led Dr Ampofo to inspect a house at Laterbiokoshie, in Accra, which Frempong said could be rented at 250,000 cedis per month.

Dr Ampofo showed interest in the house and accompanied the agent to Abeka Lapaz, where he introduced Nana Addo, now at large, as the landlady.

After a brief discussion, Dr Ampofo was asked to make an advanced payment of nine million cedis as the rent for three years.

The prosecution said Nana Addo issued a receipt to cover the money, which she received and promised to get the place ready in three days.

On July three, 1997, Dr Ampofo went to the house, only to meet one Madam Lydia Ribeiro, who claimed ownership of the house.

A report was made to the Police, who arrested Frempong, but Nana Addo managed to escape.

GRi../

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