The Ghana Prison Service, dispatched four officers to The Herald newspaper’s offices on Wednesday, seeking an apology over a publication regarding the escape of a convicted Chinese national, purportedly aided by some officers to break jail in exchange for KFC Rice, soft drinks, and a cash amount of Gh¢1,000 each.
Led by Nana Sarfo Acheampong-Boakye, the officers arrived at The Herald’s premises visibly upset, particularly about the accompanying image featuring Isaac Kofi Agyir, the Director General of Prison Service, in that day’s publication.
They had called the Managing Editor, Larry Dogbey, with phone number 0246404601 at 2: 48pm, demanding directions to the offices of the newspaper, but informed them that he was not in the office, but they insisted on getting to the location.
Upon arrival, they demanded to speak with the editors. However, upon learning that the Managing Editor, Larry Dogbey, was unavailable, they persisted in their efforts to locate him.
Acheampong-Boakye’s demeanour on the phone, had been notably aggressive and disrespectful, as he vented frustrations at the managing editor, even abruptly ending a phone call out of anger, insinuating that the newspaper’s management was evasive in disclosing their location.
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After being directed to The Herald’s office to confirm the absence of both the Managing Editor and News Editor, Abdul Razak Bawa, whom they also contacted regarding the use of their boss’ picture, the officers were seen angrily ascending the stairs to the newspaper’s offices. They departed upon confirming the absence of the editors.
During a phone conversation with Mr Bawa, Acheampong-Boakye, reiterated their displeasure and demanded an apology over the use of the Director General’s picture.
However, Mr Bawa, explained that such usage was permissible in journalism, citing the Director General’s responsibility for the actions of his subordinates within the Prison Service.
Furthermore, Bawa clarified that stories involving governmental matters often feature images of President Nana Akufo-Addo, even without his direct involvement.
Despite Acheampong-Boakye’s assertion that they would return the following day, Thursday May 14, 2024, to meet with the Managing Editor, neither he nor his colleagues fulfilled this promise.
Two prison officers, have appeared in an Accra Circuit Court on charges of assisting Wang Xiao, a Chinese convict at Nsawam Medium Prison, in escaping after they were enticed with KFC rice, pieces of chicken and soft drinks in addition to getting Gh¢100,000 each.
Joseph Oteng and Sergeant Isaac Boateng Bonsu, have been charged with conspiracy and aiding escape.
But it appears the issue is much larger and goes beyond the two low-ranked officers to their superiors, the presence of communication gadgets inside Ghana’s prisons being used to plan and execute such escapes.
The accused correctional officers, allegedly told their superiors that after visiting the hospital, they were approached by a Toyota Vitz car, which then drove away with the convict.
Their earlier claim was that the Chinese escaped from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he was receiving treating
However, CCTV footage from a hotel has exposed them. The CCTV footage indicated that the accused persons escorted the Chinese Convict to a Hotel to meet his wife in a room. The convict and his wife allegedly escaped over the room’s balcony while the officers waited in the hotel reception area.
They have pleaded not guilty, and the court presided over by Afia Owusua Appiah, has granted them bail in the sum of GhC1000 each, with two sureties to be justified. They are to reappear on April 9, 2024.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, stated that the complainant was the third in command at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, and the accused were serving under his supervision.
The prosecution said on February 7, 2024, at around 0700 hours, the two officers were detailed to escort Wang Xiao, a Chinese national serving a one-year sentence at Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The prosecutor said that after the convict was treated by a medical officer at the hospital’s Dental Department, the two accused agreed to accompany him to the Oceans Hotel in Korle Gonno to meet his wife for a discussion in exchange for a reward of GHC1, 000, which they agreed to split.
According to Chief Inspector Alorwu, the accused removed the convict’s handcuffs and took him to the hotel reception. The second accused, Bonsu, informed the receptionist that they were there to see someone in one of the rooms.
The prosecution said the two accused sent the convict to the room, where they met his alleged wife, who offered them KFC rice and drink while she “spends some time with the husband alone.”
Upon returning to the hotel room to contact the convict, the accused discovered that both the convict and his alleged wife had fled through the balcony.
The prosecutor said that after the convict fled, the accused proceeded to Tema Station Hockey to hide the handcuffs with a witness in the case.
They immediately called their superiors in Nsawam and informed them that when escorting the convict from the hospital, they were unexpectedly stopped by a yellow and black unregistered Toyota Vitz taxi, and the inmate leapt into the taxi and fled with it.
The prosecutor said the accused were interrogated by their superiors at the Prisons National headquarters, who then submitted a formal complaint to the Police on February 13, 2024. During investigations, the accused led police to the hotel.
A review of CCTV footage, revealed that the convict and his wife jumped from the balcony of the first-floor building and fled, while the accused were relaxing in the reception area after receiving meals from the convict’s wife.
The prosecutor said that it was only when the hotel staff alerted them to check on the prisoner that they realised he had escaped.
