The Sogakofe District Police command has apprehended a middle-aged man, one Issac Adzrah for impersonating and extorting money from unsuspecting residents in the name of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Isaac, who was arrested last week, had been going round communities in the Central and South Tongu districts in the Volta Region posing as ECG staff. Unfortunately for him, he was arrested by field officers of ECG in the Central Tongu District, following a tip-off by some residents.
Isaac Adzrah at the time of his arrest, was threatening ECG customers in some villages with disconnection, and extorting monies from them, for non-settlement of their electricity bills. Some of the communities which fell victim to the activities of Isaac Adzrah prior to his arrest, include ‘Total Child’ and Kpekpo in the Central Tongu District.
Speaking after the arrest, Manager of the Sogakope District office of the ECG, Christine Hadzi said, her office had received several complaints from customers about the activities of a suspicious man, claiming to be a staff of ECG, who regularly extorted money from individuals and households.
“Once the complaints became rampant, I informed my field officers to be alert when they visit the communities. Upon a tip-off that he was scheduled to meet and receive monies from some customers, we informed the police and laid ambush to effect his arrest”, she said.
Preliminary interrogations revealed that his modus operandi were to request for the electricity bill of any household he visited, and if they owed any amount, he will demand an ‘operation fee’ or threaten immediate disconnection.
The Volta Regional General Manager of ECG, Ing. Joseph Forson praised the vigilance of the staff in the District, and called on customers to collaborate more with the ECG to rid the system of such miscreants.
“We encourage our customers to demand that anyone who comes to their facility to transact business in the name of ECG, properly identifies himself. Where there are suspicions on the identity or motives of any individual, customers should not hesitate to inform the District office for clarification”, he said.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (freduoo@gmail.com)