By Fred Dzakpata
An Accra Circuit Court has issued an arrest warrant for Captain Abel Nartey, a military officer stationed at Army Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra, in connection with a GHC136,000 recruitment scam. Nartey is accused of collecting GHC120,000 to facilitate the enlistment of individuals into various security services in Ghana.
Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, representing the prosecution, informed the court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, that Nartey had repeatedly failed to respond to invitations from the Regional Criminal Investigation Department to assist with the investigation.
Despite attempts to have him produced for questioning, including communications with Military Police and Army Headquarters, no results were achieved. As a result, the court issued a bench warrant for Nartey’s arrest.
Clement Ayomah, a fellow military officer standing trial alongside Nartey, had his plea retaken. Ayomah pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretenses. He was ordered released on his previous bail conditions, with the case adjourned until August 5, 2024.
The prosecution’s case, presented by George Ofori Amoako, a trader from Darkuman, alleges that Ayomah was introduced to Amoako by a mutual acquaintance, Vivian, as a military officer with access to enlistment slots. Ayomah allegedly informed Amoako that he and Nartey had numerous protocol slots available.
In total, Ayomah collected GHC136,000 from Amoako, handing over GHC120,000 to Nartey to facilitate the enlistment of 12 individuals into the Ghana Armed Forces, seven into the Ghana Police Service, and three into the Ghana Immigration Service. Ayomah retained the remaining GHC16,000.
After failing to deliver on his promises, Ayomah became evasive, prompting Amoako to report the matter to the police in March 2023. Nartey was also invited multiple times to assist with the investigation but did not comply. Ayomah later admitted to taking the funds and indicated that some had been given to Nartey, who remains at large. The prosecution reported that Ayomah has since refunded GHC50,000.