Court adjourns case involving impersonators of Okudzeto Ablakwa to July 25

Two persons charged with impersonation of North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa were left as sitting ducks in court when the case was called.

The accused persons Promise Ahorgah, a phone repairer, and Kwaotse Mawuli, a building construction labourer, according to the prosecution, created social media accounts in the name of the North Tongu MP to solicit funds on behalf of victims affected by the Akosombo and Kpong Dam Spillage.

They have pleaded not guilty to six counts of allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Ghanaians and have been granted GHC50,000 bail each.

In court on Monday, July 8, the defense counsel for the accused was notably absent. Asked about the whereabouts of their lawyer, they explained to Justice Lydia Osei that due to their failure to pay, their lawyer had dropped the case. They pleaded with the court for more time to resolve these issues.

Justice Osei Marfo then appealed to lawyers present in the courtroom who weren’t State Attorneys to come to the aid of the accused persons.

Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu who was present with his team of lawyers indicated that they would take on the case as pro-bono.

When the case resumed, prosecution led by Senior State Attorney, Nancy Korkor Hammond informed the court that the prosecution was supposed to file a new charge sheet based on new information. However, they had been unable to complete this task. Hammond assured the court that the new charge sheet would be filed by the next hearing date.

“We’re supposed to file a new charge sheet based on new information. Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to do so. If we come back by the 25th, by then we would have done so,” Hammond stated.

The judge, considering the circumstances and the commitments made by the prosecution, adjourned the case to July 25.

The additional time is expected to allow both the defense and prosecution to prepare adequately for the next phase of the trial.