Stephen Kumi, the first accused person who was remanded in police custody together with a journalist in Takoradi over alleged case of kidnapping two weeks ago, has also been granted bail by the Takoradi Circuit Court ‘A’.
The second accused person, Paa Kwesi Simpson, a popular broadcaster with Takoradi-based Connect FM was granted bail by a Sekondi High Court on Monday, November 8, 2021 after being remanded alongside Kumi by the Circuit Court ‘A’.
The two are being tried for publishing false information and false communication and have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Yesterday, the court presided over by His Honour Michael Ampadu granted the first accused bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties and adjourned the case until December 21, 2021.
The Takoradi Divisional Police Command arrested Stephen Kumi of Mpohor, near Takoradi, to assist in investigations in an alleged case of kidnapping.
The police then 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 before he got bail from a High Court.
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