Eric Amoateng’s case adjourned to March 18

An Accra Circuit Court hearing the case involving Eric Amoateng, a former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, over a forged passport has adjourned the case to March 18.

The court was forced to adjourn the case after the witness, for the third time, failed to appear before the court to continue with cross examination by the defence counsel.

Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Aiden Dery, told the court that the witness had travelled out of the jurisdiction for one week for a course and would be back by the next adjourned date.

The court presided over by Madam Helen Amoah said at the last adjourned date, when it was reported that both the prosecution and witness were not feeling well, she made an order for the prosecution to produce a medical report to the court but that had not been done.

She noted that, as part of the legal process, the prosecution was supposed to produce a medical report to be kept on record that he as well as the witness was not feeling well.

She reminded the prosecution to take note of the order and endeavor to present the report by the next adjourned date.

The case was later adjourned to March 18 for further cross examination.

At the last sitting, both the prosecution and witness were not in court due to ill health and as such the case was adjourned

Mrs Amoah, said the authorities at the Police Headquarters should have written formerly to the registrar of the court. “Both the witness and the prosecutor should produce a medical report to confirm their alleged illness,” she added.

Mr Amoateng is alleged to have travelled to Ghana with a female Ghanaian Passport number H2347080 after serving his conviction abroad.

The accused person pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢ 200,000.00.

The case of the state was that in December 2005, the accused went to the United States. In the same month, he was arrested for possessing heroin, a narcotic drug and jailed.

Mr Amoateng served his sentence and on July 30, 2014 he was released from prison.

DSP Dery said on August 7, 2014 the accused arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on board a Delta Airline flight at 1420 hours.

Going through arrival formalities it was detected that he had in his possession a Ghanaian Passport number H2347080, which was allegedly forged, with the bio-data page substituted.

Source: GNA