Two fake ECG officials grabbed

Two men who allegedly posed as officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and attempted to defraud a pastor have been arrested by the Weija Police near Accra.

Alhassan Agumbilla and Eric Kojo Sackey, the suspects, are currently in custody pending further investigations.

Briefing newsmen, the Weija District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) John D. Animpong, said the suspects went to the premises of the Living Testimony for Jesus Bible Ministry at Afuba, near Accra, on April 23, 2007 on an alleged inspection of illegal electricity connection.

He said the suspects posed as officials from the Revenue Loss Control Unit of the ECG and carried meter reading cards, sealing pliers, one expired ECG identity card and a fake one.

DSP Animpong said after opening the meter to inspect it, the suspects allegedly informed Pastor Kwasi Kusi, one of the pastors of the church, that the meter had been tampered with.

He said Pastor Kusi expressed shock at the disclosure by the suspects and wondered who could have tampered with it.

He said the suspects then offered to 'kill' the case only if Pastor Kusi was ready to part with 34 million cedis to cover the cost of repairing two meters owned by the church.

DSP Animpong said the suspects had explained that it was going to cost the pastor 100 million cedis per meter if the case was investigated by the ECG office.

He said Pastor Kusi feigned interest in the deal and requested the suspects to contact him the next day so that they could sort things out.

DSP Animpong said Pastor Kusi scheduled a meeting with the suspects at about 5.00 p.m. on April 24, 2007 to enable him (the pastor) to raise part of the money.

The District Police Commander said two detectives were detailed to accompany Pastor Kusi to the church where the suspects were arrested after they showed up to collect the booty.