Koforidua Police officers refuse GH¢10,000 bribe

Some Police Personnel of the Koforidua Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) refused a GH¢10,000 bribe offered by a suspected India hemp dealer to avoid arrest.

The suspect, Kweku Djabeng, 37, who was arrested and placed at the Koforidua Central Police cells, then attempted to commit suicide by scaling the walls of the cells and dropping down to break his head and the spinal cord but did not succeed.

He is on admission at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Koforidua on Tuesday, Chief Superintendent James Sarfo-Peprah, Eastern Regional Commander of the MTTU, said a Hyundai Grace vehicle with registration number GT 4827-11, packed with leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, arrived at a police check point on Saturday.

The driver of the vehicle, Kwasi Tettey, said the leaves were being transported from Boti in the Yilo Krobo District to Takoradi.

Mr Safo-Peprah said, upon interrogation, the occupants of the vehicle admitted to be carrying Indian hemp and offered a bribe of GH¢10,000 to the Police to evade arrest.

However, the personnel refused the money and arrested the driver and Djabeng, who claimed ownership of the goods.

Mr Safo-Peprah said the other suspect, whose name was only given as John, managed to escape and is now on police wanted list.

He said Djabeng and his friend were kept at the police cells at the Koforidua Central Police Station and said during the night, Djabeng attempted to commit suicide but sustained some injuries in the spinal cord.

He said he was sent to the Koforidua Regional Hospital for treatment and later transferred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital due to the nature of the injury.

Mr Safo-Peprah said Djabeng is under police guard at the hospital and when he recovers the suspects would be put before court.

Chief Superintendent Sarfo Peprah commended the personnel for their high sense of maturity and professionalism and urged other officers to emulate their patriotism.

He said although the Police had come under serious criticism for taking bribes, at least these personnel had exhibited that there are morally upright professionals with a high sense of duty in the Service.

Source: GNA