The Assemblyman for Kedzikope in the Keta Municipality, Joseph Amenyo Quashigah, has been arraigned for allegedly stealing relief items meant for tidal waves victims in the area.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Keta Circuit Court presided over by Madam Mercy Adei Kotei granted him bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 with two sureties and he is expected to return to court on March 13, this year.
Police Chief Inspector Ransford Kwatei, prosecuting, said on January 27, 2022, a complainant reported to the Keta Divisional Police Command that she sought help from benevolent individuals, using social media platforms, who then volunteered student mattresses and pillows for the tidal wave victims.
He said the complainant handed first and second consignments to the accused for onward distribution to victims.
Chief Inspector Kwatei said complainant later heard that the mattresses intended to be given out freely were being sold.
The prosecutor said the complainant still went ahead and brought another consignment which comprised 229 high density student mattresses and 13 boxes of pillows to the Assemblyman but this time, with a directive that he should not distribute the items without her involvement.
Chief inspector Kwatei said complainant left for Accra, took some time to return because of ill health and on her return, again received information that the mattresses were being sold at GH¢150.00 each.
He said the complainant’s check revealed that there were only 119 mattresses and 11 boxes of pillows left with the accused unable to account for the remainder, insisting he distributed them.
The Prosecutor said a complaint was made with Police investigations leading to the arrest and subsequent processing of the Assemblyman for court.
Donations of assorted relief items poured in from individuals, groups and organisations for victims of the storm surge in November, 2021, which wreaked havoc on homes in some communities in coastal Volta, including Kedzikope, a community which also felt the impact of the disaster.
However, there were allegations that some items were sold to some victims instead of being given to them free of charge to alleviate the hardship brought on them by the disaster.
Source: Modern Ghana
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