Police protest kidnapper’s bail

The Accra Regional Police Command has expressed shock that a 27-year-old self-confessed kidnapper had been granted bail by an Accra circuit court and vowed to apppeal against the decision.

The court granted bail to the accused, Ernest Abotsi, a self-styled pastor, who was in the dock for kidnapping a nine-year old boy from the Lighthouse Chapel International-Quodesh at North Kaneshie in Accra.

Though Abotsi admitted kidnapping the child and three others on separate occasions, he told the court he did not know the consequences of his act. 

The court, presided over by Ms Ellen V. Amoah, entered a plea of not guilty for the accused and his accomplice, Isaac Ntie, and remanded them in police custody when the case was heard for the first time.

However, on January 7, 2014 when the case was called for the second time, the court granted bail to the two persons who were facing conspiracy and kidnapping charges. 

Police not happy 

The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, told the Daily Graphic that the police were not happy about the decision of the court.

He recalled that there was panic in the Accra metropolis “when these kidnappings started and then after the kidnappings had occurred for four consecutive times, we finally arrested the key suspect and his accomplice.”

He continued: “The first accused (Abotsi) had confessed to the police and openly admitted before the court that he committed the offence without knowing the repercussions so why should he be granted bail?”

Mr Yohunu explained that the offence was a second degree felony which did not warrant a bail.

Prosecutor protest bail

Mr Yohunu was of the view that the accused person should not have been granted a court bail as the prosecutor protested against it.

 The prosecuting officer, Chief Inspector Charles Chester, opposed the bail with the explanation that it would affect the work of the police who were conducting further investigations into the matter. The prosecutor also stated that the kidnapper did not have a permanent place of abode. 

“We will liaise with the Attorney General to take up the issue,” Mr Yohunu said.

Writers Email:emelia.ennin@graphic.com.gh