Accra: A 59-year-old businessman has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly threatening a police officer with a loaded pistol at the court premises. Seth Welbeck has been charged with threat of death and unlawful possession of a firearm, namely a Smith and Wesson SD9 VE pistol. Welbeck pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to Ghana News Agency, the court, presided over by Mr. Joojo Amoah, admitted Welbeck to bail in the sum of GHC200,000 with two sureties, to be justified with landed property, and adjourned the case to March 3, 2026. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Nego Dzigbordi, informed the court that the complainant was Detective Chief Inspector Prince Okoh of the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Accra.
The prosecutor stated that Welbeck, a resident of Accra, was previously under investigation for alleged forgery of judicial or official documents and was served with a criminal summons to appear before Circuit Court Three on February 3, 2026. In this prior case, Welbeck was granted bail in the sum of GHC200,000 with two sureties, also to be justified with landed property.
According to the prosecution, while Welbeck was being escorted to the Regional CID, Accra, he requested permission to lock his vehicle parked within the court premises. The complainant, alongside Chief Inspector Margaret Nando, a Court Warrant Officer, escorted Welbeck to the vehicle.
The prosecutor detailed that Welbeck opened the vehicle and suddenly picked up his Smith and Wesson SD9 VE pistol, bearing serial number FYS4759, which was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, and pointed it at the complainant. Detective Chief Inspector Okoh acted swiftly by striking Welbeck's hand, causing the pistol to fall to the ground. One Michael Obeng Ntim, who witnessed the incident, assisted the complainant, and Welbeck was restrained, handcuffed, and escorted to the Regional CID, Accra, where a report was lodged.