Fake soldier in trouble

Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Monday remanded in prison custody, Samuel Tamakloe, a trader, who dressed in full military uniform with accoutrements in his possession and paraded at a military barracks.

Some of the accoutrements are two jack knives, one hot field weather military cap, a pair of DG uniform and one web belt. Others are a pair of military boots, one piece of muffler, one 2BN Lanyard and one support service badge.

Solomon Tamakloe alias Jim Kpodo also a farmer, pleaded not guilty to falsely pretending to be a public Officer and illegally possessing military accoutrement.

The accused will reappear on January 5, 2005.

Presenting the facts of the case, Prosecution told the court presided over by Mr. Nathaniel Osam that the complainant is the most Senior Warrant Officer and the Provost of the Central Band of the Ghana Armed Forces, based in Accra.

Prosecution said at about 1400 hours, on December 12, this year, one Private Otabil, a member of the Central Band, spotted Tamakloe parading at the barracks in full military uniform and had then decorated the uniform with support service shoulder badge, including "2BN Lanyard under Southern Command", which according to Prosecution, was contrary to military uniform regulation.

Private Otabil then reported the conduct of the accused to Warrant Officer Class Two II Robert Pomaney Koki.

WO II Kofi arrested the accused and sent him to the Military police, where he confessed during interrogation that he was not a soldier and that he stole the accoutrements.