107 criminal cases so far at Ghana 2008

One hundred and seven criminal case have so far been reported from the four match venues of the 26th Africa Cup of Nations Tournament.

The Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra had 53, Essipon in Sekondi, 34, Baba Yara in Kumasi, 13, and the Tamale Stadium, seven cases.

Police sources said the crimes involved assault, ticket racketeering, stealing of mobile phones and cameras, snatching of bags, possessing and smoking of Indian hemp, offensive conduct and obstructing peace, among others.

Eight culprits have been sentenced to imprisonment for periods ranging from one year to 24 months, while others have been remanded in prison custody pending further investigations.

The Accra Regional Crime Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boi-Bi- Boi, gave the names of those convicted in Accra as Imoro Chazli, Abdulai Mohammed, Elliot Bampoe, Timothy Mensah and Nii Boi.

He said a number of the cases were still under investigations and expressed concern that there was no clear cut law on the offence of ticket racketeering, saying that had made it very difficult to prosecute those arrested for that offence.

He said majority of the cases involved stealing but so far no fake ticket case had been recorded in Accra.

ACP Boi-Bi-Boi said many of the complainants, after reporting the cases, refused to follow up and that hindered the smooth prosecution of some of those arrested.

He said the police had been able to manage security at the four match venues effectively and appealed to supporters to be circumspect in their celebrations after matches.

For his part, the Crime Officer of Sekondi, Superintendent Dennis Abade, said 34 suspects, comprising 23 foreigners and 11 Ghanaians, were arrested for various offences during the tournament.

He said 17 out of the number were arrested for stealing, nine for offensive conduct and the rest for possessing Indian hemp, and added that majority of those arrested were Nigerians.

Supt Abade said one Malian who snatched a mobile phone had been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, while six Nigerians who appeared before court had been remanded to reappear at a later date while investigations continued.

The Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, said out of the 13 cases reported, seven were for stealing mobile phones and digital cameras, one for car snatching and five for possession of Indian hemp.

He said Masawudu Ibrahim, 34, who stole a mobile phone, had been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment in hard labour, while Murnuni Mahazu, 23, who also snatched a mobile phone and a German passport, was sentenced to five years in imprisonment in hard labour.

ACP Oduro gave the names of the suspects who had been remanded as Issifu Mohammed, 32, Kwaku Owusu, 21, Alidu Arnandi, 32, and Mohammed Jobo, 24.

He said in Tamale, the seven cases involved ticket racketeering, stealing and possession Indian hemp and all suspects had been remanded to reappear at a later date.