One of the people who was forced to pay GHS 20,000 to some police officers in Accra for no reason has spoken up about the unpleasant event.
The victim, who is also a student, claims that he was riding in a ride-hailing car on his way to the airport when police officers pulled him over on suspicion of being an internet fraudster.
On Friday, May 21, 2021, he was detained by disguised police officers on board a ‘Operation Calm Life’ pick-up van on the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) road, according to him.
“All that occurred was that the cops pulled over the automobile. When the automobile came to a halt, I was on my phone. I was instructed to take everything out of my pocket by one of the officers. It cost GHS 1,000 and came with a phone. I told him I was a student when he inquired what I did. Then he began questioning me about my family, which I responded to. I questioned him why he was asking me so many questions because I felt threatened.”
“So I dialed my father’s number, and one of them took my phone and hung up. The officer then began reading through my correspondence and conversations with my girlfriend in the United Kingdom concerning my business. He simply stated that because he has a lot of money, he is involved in fraud. He then handcuffed me and forced me into their car,” the victim, who wishes to remain nameless, stated.
Further information indicate that the police stopped the victim’s vehicle, drove him to Awudome Cemetery, and threatened him with a gun.
After a series of threats and demands, the victim agreed to pay GHS 20,000 for the fear of losing his life.
“We drove along Airport Road, and they told me to either take them to a hotel and give them GHS 20,000 or take them to the police station. I protested, though, that I had done nothing wrong. They began to intimidate me, and I became fearful. I told them I would give them the money, and they let me go.”
“They drove me from Circle to Awudome Road. They summoned a man who arrived with a phone. The cops confiscated my phone and demanded that I transfer the money to a Mobile Money account. As a result, I moved funds from my checking account to my mobile money wallet. He told Citi News’ Micheal Ogbodu, “They then left me and I took a taxi cab home.”
Aside from this occurrence, there was another one in which the victim was detained by three police officers on patrol near the Haatso Ecobank Branch.
According to the police report, the victim was handcuffed and his phone and other personal possessions were confiscated.
The victim was transported to the Silver Star Towers near the airport, where he was reportedly extorted of GHS 18,000.
Five police officers were arrested for their roles in the event less than 24 hours later.
They were apprehended and prosecuted after that.
On Thursday, May 27, 2021, all four troubled cops were denied bail after being accused with conspiracy, robbery, and bribery.
Source: CITINEWSROOM
