Category: Legal-Judicial

Accra, Dec. 06, GNA — The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has advised the public to maintain security consciousness whilst using their social media accounts to prevent takeovers from online scammers.

A statement issued by the Authority, said the CSA had observed a worrying trend of increased reports of unauthorised access and online scams perpetrated through the takeover of social media accounts particularly, WhatsApp.

It said the compromised social media accounts were used to commit fraudulent activities such as investment fraud, online shopping scams, job recruitment scams, romance scams, and solicitation of funds, among others.

The statement said a second trend had to do with WhatsApp users being lured to expose their nudity over a video call with someone they thought they knew.

It said the session was recorded by the other party (or an associate) without the knowledge of the victim and then the malicious actor came back to extort money from the victim in exchange for not releasing the video.

The statement said a potential victim would either receive a call from an unknown number, or a message from a friend (whose social media account may have been compromised) requesting the victim to share a one-time password (OTP) (usually a 6-digit verification code) sent to the victim’s number as a text message.

It said the scammers applied social engineering, typically creating a sense of emergency and request for the OTP which was sent to the victim.

The statement said the victim would thereafter lose access to the account after providing the scammers with the verification code.

It said the scammers, after gaining access to the victim’s account, then targeted persons and groups on the victim’s contact list as the next potential victims.

The statement said through this, the scammers would impersonate the victim’s friends and promote other fraudulent activities or solicit funds.

It said the scammers’ request would be on the pretext of helping them to join online groups such as work or school groups or sign up and claim prizes for fake lucky draws allegedly conducted or joined.

The statement said a potential victim would typically make a new friend on a social media platform such as Facebook.

It said eventually, the two parties would exchange WhatsApp numbers and the chats would continue over there, establishing a level of trust and familiarity.

The statement said after some time, a video call was initiated over which the victim ended up being persuaded to go nude.

“Unknown to them, the session is recorded by the other party. Some days afterwards, the other party (or an associate) will contact the victim indicating that they have these videos and will threaten to release them in public unless they receive a specified payment.”

“In some cases, the criminals will go ahead to share it online, provide a link (URL) to where it is and indicate it would only be taken down when they are paid. The demands typically do not end once the first payment is made,” it said.

The statement urged online users to enable ‘Two-Step Verification’ on WhatsApp.

This can be done by Opening WhatsApp Settings. Tap Account > Two-step verification > Enable. Enter a six-digit PIN of your choice and confirm it. Provide a valid email address you have access to or tap Skip.

“Providing the email address is recommended. Otherwise, if you forget your PIN, you will have to wait 7 days before you can reset it. Tap Next. Confirm the email address and tap Save or Done,” it said.

The statement advised them to avoid initiating and/or participating in video calls of an intimate nature where nudity was displayed, sexually explicit acts were performed.

It said if victims received a ransom demand, they should not make payment but instead, report it immediately to the CSA’s Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact for guidance.

The statement urged them to never share their social media application account verification codes with anyone.

It said they should protect all their social media application accounts by enabling the ‘Two-Step Verification’ or ‘Two-Factor authentication (2FA)’ feature.

The statement said they should be aware of who had physical access to their phone, adding that if someone had physical access to their phone, they could use their account without permission.

It advised them to beware of unusual requests from strangers or even their social media contacts.

The statement asked them to be wary of claims that they had won a prize, especially if they had not participated in any campaign or lucky draw.

“Check official websites to determine whether the lucky draw offers are legitimate. Always verify the authenticity of the request by contacting your friend, but do not do so through the social media platform as the account might have been taken over by scammers.”

It urged them not to transfer money or give out personal information, bank account or credit/debit card details, and One-Time Password (OTP) to anyone, including family and friends.

“If you are contacted by anyone claiming to have images and/or videos of you of an intimate nature requesting a payment in exchange for not releasing them to the public, report it immediately to the CSA’s Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact for guidance. Do NOT make any payments.”

“The CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking guidance and assistance on online activities; Call or Text – 292, WhatsApp – 050 160 3111, Email – report@csa.gov.gh.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec.5, GNA – A motorbike sprayer who was arrested through a tracker installed in a motorbike which he allegedly stole, is before court.

Sulemana Haruna, 37, the accused person, was granted a GHS50,000.00 bail with two sureties, one to be justified and he was ordered by the Accra Circuit Court Eleven to report to the Police every Friday until the end of trial.

He will make his next appearance on December 21, 2022 for the Case Management Conference.

He has earlier denied stealing two motorbikes valued GHS15,000.00 each, belonging to Charles Kwaku Ware and Abu Dickson.

Inspector Rosemond Anyane told the Court that Ware was a trader and resided at Abelemkpe whilst, Dickson the second complainant is a Motorbike Mechanic and resident of Alajo.

She said Haruna was a Sprayer and resided at Korle-Gonno. On November 09, 2022, Ware after close of work, parked his Yamaha motorbike with registration No. GR-M-22-3572 and chained same in his house around 2330 hours.

Prosecution said the accused person went to steal the motorbike and sent it to his shop at Agbogbloshie unknown to him that there was a tracker in the motorbike.

The Court heard that the complainant tracked his motorbike to the accused person’s shop at Agbogbloshie, then he made a formal complaint to the Regional Police Headquarters.

A team was dispatched to Agbogbloshie and arrested the accused person, the Court heard.

Inspector Anyane said the accused person was ordered to open his shop and when a search was conducted, eleven (11) other motorbikes which had been dismantled and were undergoing re-spraying and that of Ware’s motorbike, were retrieved.

She said all the stolen motorbikes were sent to the Regional Police Headquarters for investigation.

Prosecution said announcement was made and the second complainant on hearing the news, followed up and identified his Yamaha motorbike which his customer brought to him to repair and after he had finished repairing, sent it to his house at Alajo on November 07, 2022.

However, when he woke up, he found out that the said motorbike had been stolen. She said the owners of the other motorbikes were yet to come and identify their properties.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec. 4, GNA-The unavailability of land remains a bane to our quest to ensure easy access to courts, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has said.

According to the Chief Justice, court houses are national assets, and are reflective of the importance a nation attached to the rule of law and good governance.

“Unfortunately, even though government agreed to construct more than 20 courts within the Greater Accra Region, the local authorities and Niimei have not been able to allocate adequate lands for the execution of the projects.”

Chief Justice Yeboah was speaking at the inauguration of a Circuit Court in Achimota, a suburb of Accra.

The courthouse is fully furnished and fitted with a borehole, solar Power, and a generator. This is to ensure a regular water supply and clean energy. The Circuit Court edifice comes nine months after the Chief Justice commissioned a District Court, which is about 30 meters away.

The newly established court is part of the 100 courthouses promised by the President Nana Akufo Addo, with bungalows for judges and magistrates across the country. The establishment of the court followed various meetings with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development and the District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator.

He said in the coming year, UNICEF, one of its development partners would upgrade the Achimota Circuit Court with Information Communication Technology interventions to make same more user friendly to handle cases of domestic violence and abuse of children, women, girls who are most vulnerable in the society.

According to Chief Justice Yeboah one of the visions of the judicial Service was to enhance citizen’s access to quality justice by establishing courts proximity to users.

“This is aimed at reducing the cost burden of having to commute to the central Business District of Accra to seek Justice as well as easing the heavy caseload overburdening the court there”

He noted that cases in the Okaikwei North Municipality and its environ that fell within the threshold of the Circuit Court were sent to the Central Business District, Amasaman or Adenta to the discomfort of Court users.

Chief Justice Yeboah said Judicial Service had worked hard to establish High Courts at Amasaman, Adenta and Sowutuom to stop the mass transfer of cases to the Central Business District of Accra

The Chief Justice urged Ghanaians to have confidence in the court process and make good use of the facility.

“I urge our staff and Assembly to ensure its proper maintenance. For this is the only way we can achieve our mandate and vision for our compatriots and the nation.”

In a speech read on behalf of Mr Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, was optimistic that the establishment of the court would bring swift dispensation of justice which undoubtedly was key element in the development of a municipality and the nation.

Mr Quartey appealed to the court to collaborate with the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly to ensure strict enforcement of sanitation bye-laws, especially now that the “Operation Clean Your Frontage” bye-laws have been gazetted.

“I would implore you to try to set aside special days to complement the Assembly’s effort to make the city one of the cleanest.”

Justice Cynthia Pamela A. Addo, the Judicial Secretary, said “If Ghana would survive and thrive as a nation, then the law must be in robust health.”

Nii Amartey III, Abofu Dzase, on behalf of the Chiefs and traditional rulers was elated that Achimota has a Circuit and a District.

He urged members of the various communities to be law abiding citizens and avoid falling foul of the law.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Winneba (C/R), Dec 01, GNA – Professor Mawutor Avoke, Vice-Chancellor of University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has applauded the University’s sports team at the just ended 27th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA), for their sterling performance amidst some challenges to emerge the overall champions of the tournament.

He said, they have not only made themselves and the university proud, but the entire members of the university community (Effutuman). 

Prof.  Avoke made the commendation at a ceremony held at the University Council Chamber at Winneba, when the team paid a courtesy call on him to present the 10 trophies won to emerge the overall champions of the tournament held at Kumasi, and to thank the Management for supporting them to earn that enviable achievement. 

He stated that the conduct of the coaches, staff and students who were at the games was very satisfactory compared to others, thereby raising the standards for them to win the tournament. 

According to Prof. Avoke, with the limited resources provided by management, motivation and encouragement by coaches, the contingents and coaches came back with the most converted trophies that had never been assembled in the history of GUSA games.  

“We need to celebrate them for lifting the banner of the university high, UEW salute you, we are grateful and appreciate you. 

 “We will host the entire team when the next semester resumes in January to let you feel that management is really behind you, ” he assured. 

Dr. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, Director of the University Sports Directorate and leader of delegation presented the trophies and thanked the management for supporting the team in diverse ways to Kumasi to achieve this enviable feat. 

He informed the gathering that the team was crowned the overall champions with 10 trophies and 61 medals, made up of 22 golds, 22 silver and 17 bronze medals. 

According to him, they presented 265 contingent who engaged in 12 disciplines, namely Badminton (men/ Women), Beach Volleyball (women), Tennis (men/women), Handball (men/ women), Volleyball (women), goal ball (women) who were able to work to clinch most of the medals in the these disciplines. 

Dr. Sarpong, further stated that Ms. Asana Hamidu a student , broke the national record in the women’s 400 meters hurdles. 

He appealed to the management of the university, to do everything within its jurisdiction to develop a state-of-the-art facility, employ more substantive coaches, support the directorate with required resources, increase the remuneration of the coaches and to sponsor their end of year coach’s retreat. 

He indicated that the team performed very well throughout the tournament with the limited resources to raise the flag of the university high. 

 It was their hope that management will adhere to their plea to help students to train harder without hindrance to enable the department to produce skilful and fully prepared contingents to continue to emerge overall champions in subsequent universities games. 

He further expressed the team’s gratitude and appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and the entire management of the University as well as individuals for their unwavering Support and prayer to the team.

Among personalities at the ceremony was Professor Andy Birikorang, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Deans, Directors, lecturers and some staff. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Nov. 30, GNA – An Accra Circuit Court has discharged the Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry and six others.

Rev. Owusu Bempah and six others were variously being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, offensive conduct to the breach of peace, conspiracy to commit threat of death and threat of death.

They were said to have threatened to kill self-acclaimed fetish priestess turned -evangelist, Patricia Asiedua aka Nana Agradaa aka Evangelist Mama Pat.

When sitting resumed today (Wednesday), Chief Inspector Benson Benneh, who held brief of Assist Superintendent of Police (ASP) Simon Terkpetey, informed the court that, “we have instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to withdraw the case.”

Chief Inspector Benneh told the court that there was a new development hence the prosecution was putting its house in order to prepare a new charge sheet and arraign the accused persons before the High Court.

“We therefore pray for discharge of the accused persons and pursue the matter at the High Court,” he added.

The court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah said “listening to the prosecution, the case is struck out and accused persons are discharged.

Defence counsel, however, expressed fears that his clients could be arrested as soon as they stepped out of the court.

Rev. Owusu Bempah’s accomplices are Mensah Ofori, Bright Berchie, Kwabena Nyarko aka Matata, Nana Acheampong, Nana brown and Kwame Amoh.

All the accused persons have denied the various charges and they were on bail in the sum of GHS100,000 each.

The accused persons allegedly stormed the house of Nana Agradaa on September 8, 2021, with heavily built men amidst shouting, “We will kill you.”

Rev. Owusu Bempah is accused of instructing the men to bring Nana Agradaa out so they could “teach her a lesson.”

The Police, however, moved swiftly to the scene to avert any clashes at Nana Agradaa’s residence at Gbawe, Accra.

On March 3, 2022, the office of the Attorney General called for case docket to study and advise on it.

The state was billed to call its first prosecution witness in the person of Nana Agradaa, the complainant in the case.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, GNA – French President Emmanuel Macron has praised efforts of Qatar in the hosting of the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In a tweet on his official account, President Macron said: “This football World Cup, the first organized in an Arab country, is a sign of tangible changes underway.

“Qatar is headed in this direction. It must continue, and it can count on our support,” he noted.

According to the French President, “In a world facing a series of crises, we must protect the spirit of sport. Sport must offer a space to bring people together, around universal values.

France has already advanced to the next stage of the competition, after picling the six maximum points in two matches.

They defeated Denmark last Saturday, in second round of the Group D of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema, Nov. 25, GNA – Kwabena Oduro, an upholstery specialist has been dragged to the Tema District Court for dumping waste in open spaces contrary to Section one sub-section two and eight of Tema Metropolitan Assembly by-law 2019.

The court, presided over by Ms. Siren Mahama, granted the accused bail based on his plea of guilty on counts one and three, which were dumping of rubbish in an open space and non-abatement of notice.

He, however, pleaded not guilty on count two, which was the burning of rubbish in an open space.

The prosecution led by Ms. Saudatu Issaka, an Environmental Health Analyst, said Oduro owns a shop at Light Industrial Area Community 9, within the area of the court.

On February 15, 2022, a team of Environmental Health Officers inspected his workshop and found that he dumped his trade waste together with other waste haphazardly on bare ground.

It was observed that he then burnt them in the open, causing a smoke nuisance to the public.

The accused’s attention was drawn to it and given a brief education on the dangers associated with his action.

The prosecution said a notice of abatement was served to him to clean the place, discontinue dumping rubbish there, and provide a waste bin for proper storage of his waste.

He was also advised to register with a solid waste collection service provider for safe collection and disposal but failed to comply with the directives.

The Health Analyst said several reminders and warnings for him to adhere to the directives proved futile.

Subsequently, he was charged with the offence to appear and answer before the court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA – The third prosecution witness in En Huang’s trial at an Accra High Court has denied testifying to save himself from further investigations and the charge of engaging in illegal mining.

Nana Sarfo Prempeh, a Director of Volta Resources Limited, a company tasked to undertake exploration in some concessions in the Ashanti Region, said: “I reject that accusation. I am here to give evidence to ensure that justice is done to the perpetrator (En Huang) who illegally mined from the year 2015 to 2017.”

Nana Prempeh accused En Huang of causing “wholesale damage” to the livelihood of farmers whose farm produce were destroyed and the fact that she also caused damage to the water bodies in the Ashanti region thereby denying residents clean drinking water.

The third prosecution witness was answering questions under cross-examination administered by Miracle Attachey, counsel for Aisha Huang, the alleged galamasey queen, standing trial among others for engaging in illegal at Bepotenten in the Ashanti Region in the year 2017 and re-entering Ghana though prohibited.

En Huang aka Aisha Huang has pleaded not guilty to the various charges and the Court presided over by Mrs Justice Lydia Osei Marfo has remanded her into lawful custody.

Defence Counsel (DC): Is it because investigations were against Volta Resource that you are eager to give evidence in respect of a case which does not have any co-relation to your company?

Witness: It is wrong. I am sitting here today and giving evidence against En Huang because she was specifically engaged in illegal mining in Volta Resources Concessions.

DC: Have you ever met En Huang?

Witness: Yes. I know En Huang to be engaged in illegal activities. En Huang makes appearances to claim seized machines on each occasion that Volta Resources had an encountered her.

DC: Have you met En Huang in person before?

Witness: I met her in October 2015 when four of her excavators were seized on the concessions of Volta Resources by Law Enforcement Authorities and same were deposited at the 4th Infantry Battalion in Kumasi.

DC: I put it to you that En Huang does not own any excavator or mining equipment as alleged by you?

Witness: En Huang appeared to claim ownership of excavators and mining equipment found in Volta Resource concessions.

DC: There is no evidence that En Huang owns any seized excavator.

Witness: I disagree. I have a pen drive which has media reports of series of demonstrations carried out by some residents of Gyaaman and Bepotenten, following illegal activities of En Huang.

DC: Have you been present in person in all these incidents of alleged seizure of mining equipment and appearance of En Huang?

Witness: In some instances, I was present and in other instances I was not present.

DC: You were recently arrested in respect of the operations of your company?

Witness: I have never been arrested. I was only invited by the state Security Investigative Authorities, and I gave statements to that effect.

The matter has been adjourned to November 29.

Source: Ghana News Agency