In-camera hearing as Canadian girls kidnap trial begins
The state has called its first prosecution witness in the case in which four persons have been charged with unlawful imprisonment of two Canadian nationals.
The four accused persons; Sampson Agharlor, Elvis Ojiyorwe, Jeff Omarsar and Yusif Yakubu are standing trial to charges of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping.
Charges, they have all pleaded not guilty to. The four are being held for the various role in the kidnapping of Miss Lauren Patricia Catherine Tiley and Miss Bailey Jordan Chilley.
In June 2019, the two ladies were in Kumasi to participate in a youth programme but were abducted by the accused persons.
When the case was called on Friday, the Senior State Attorney Hilda Craig told the Accra High Court that the prosecution witness was ready for the trial.
She, however, pleaded with the court that the matter be heard in-camera since the witness was a national security personnel.
The court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo granted the request and cleared the court.
Agharlor was represented by Longinus Chinedu. But Ojiyorwe and Omarsar arrived without any legal representation.
Yakubu, on the other hand said he will represent himself.
Background
The two University of New Brunswick students were abducted on June 4, 2019, while volunteering with a Non-Governmental Organisation. They were rescued that same month, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
The two are believed to have been abducted at the Kumasi Royal Golf Club at 8:25pm, according to a news release from the Ghana Police Service.
Medical reports confirmed the girls were returned physically unhurt.