Paa Kwesi Simpson
Paa Kwesi Simpson, a popular broadcaster with Takoradi-based Connect FM who was recently remanded into police custody by a Takoradi Circuit Court over alleged case of kidnapping, has been granted bail by a Sekondi High Court.
This was after the Counsel for the accused, Ebo Donkor, filed an appeal at the high court for bail for his client yesterday.
Paa Kwesi, the second accused person in the case and the first accused person, Stephen Kumi were last Thursday remanded into police custody for two weeks by the Takoradi Circuit Court ‘A’.
The two were hauled before the court on the charges of publishing false information and false communication.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court presided over by His Honour Michael Ampadu remanded them to reappear before the court on November 16, 2021.
However, yesterday, the Sekondi High Court 1 presided over by Justice Richmond Osei Hwere, granted the second accused person bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties, one being a resident of Sekondi-Takoradi.
He is also to report to the police once a week to help in investigations.
Meanwhile, the first accused, Stephen Kumi is still in the custody of the police.
Accused’s Lawyer
Speaking to journalists later, the accused lawyer, Ebo Donkor, insisted his client was innocent of the charges levelled against him by the police, adding, “Thankfully, the High Court has exercised its discretion and granted him bail. So what it means is that we will go back to the circuit court to continue the substantive matter scheduled for November 16, 2021.”
The Story
It would be recalled that the Takoradi Divisional Police Command arrested Stephen Kumi of Mpohor, near Takoradi, to assist in investigations in an alleged case of kidnapping.
The police also invited the journalist who allegedly broadcast and also published the story on Ghanaweb, and was subsequently granted self-enquiry bail by the police, but when he returned to court he was remanded.
The alleged incident involving the supposed victim, Stephanie Kumiwaa, 26, took place on October 27, 2021.
Police Statement
Ahead of the court hearing, the police in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Western Regional Police Command and signed by its head, DSP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, had said checks at Mpohor District Police Command indicated that no such case had been reported there.
The police in the process, picked up Stephen Kumi of Mpohor, to assist in investigations in the kidnapping case, which the police said was a hoax.
According to the statement, based on the publication, the police arrested the alleged boyfriend of the victim, Stephen Kumi, 33.
The police also arrested Paa Kwesi Simpson of Connect FM, Takoradi, who published the story, to assist the police in investigations.
During interrogation, Stephen Kumi informed the police that he met the victim on Facebook and they started dating.
He said on October 17, 2021, Stephanie called to inform him that she was visiting him but did not show up.
However, on October 19, 2021, he received a call from a friend of Stephanie called Sandra, that someone called her from Stephanie’s phone number that she (Stephanie) has been kidnapped.
He said the suspected kidnappers demanded a ransom of GH¢2,000.
The statement said the police therefore escorted suspect, Stephen Kumi to Mpohor, and that all efforts to locate the residence and family relations of Stephanie and Sandra for confirmation of the alleged incident proved futile.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi