Editor in court for deceiving a public officer

Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - Joojo Bruce Quansah, Editor of "Ghana Palaver" a private newspaper, who reported that he had been attacked by some unknown persons, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday charged with deceit of public officer.

Quansah pleaded not guilty.

The Court admitted him to a 50-million cedis bail with a surety to reappear on December 28 for hearing.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Kwesi Amoah said on November 18, the Police received a report that eight men in mask had attacked Quansah at his residence at Amanfro and that Quansah could not be traced.

Following that, the Police commenced investigations into the matter. The Prosecution said on the second day of investigations, Quansah appeared at the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service alleging that he had been brutally attacked and his life was in danger and as such went to seek medical attentions at a clinic at Ashiaman. On his return to the CID Office, Prosecution said Quansah was s ent to the Police Hospital but found out that nobody had attacked him. Prosecution indicated that during the 25 days of investigations, Quansah could not tell the Police where he had his medical attention. "Just yesterday Quansah took the Police to the said clinic but the Medical Officer said he had no business with the Police," the Prosecutor said.

Nana Agyei Ampofo, who represented Mr Quansah said it was true that Quansah was attacked and, therefore, went to seek medical attention at Ashaiman.

Nana Agyei Ampofo said three days after the incident, the Police sent Quansah to the Police Hospital for medical examination. He said the Medical Officer at the Police Hospital gave Quansah a prescription adding: "Those drugs are administered to people, who have suffered some pain."

Nana Agyei Ampofo prayed the court to admit his client to bail and urged the media to give Quansah the chance to a fair hearing.

"It is in the media that my client slaughtered a fowl and used the blood to stain his clothes but this is not true," Nana Agyei Ampofo said.