Lands Ministry Staff Grabbed for Extortion.
The suspect, Gabriel Sarpong, is said to have collected monies from illegal miners and other mining-related activities in excess of two hundred thousand Ghana cedis (¢200,000).
He did this on the blind side of the ministry, using Deputy Minister George Mireku Duker’s name.
A statement from the Ministry said a tip-off by an accomplice led to the arrest of Gabriel Sarpong on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
Mr Sarpong agreed to all counts of fraudulent charges levelled against him.
The Deputy Minister has asked the security apparatus to handle the matter diligently to ensure that the law deals with Mr Sarpong severely.
He is also hopeful that the prosecution of the suspect will serve as a deterrent to others.
Gabriel Sarpong is currently in the custody of the Ministries Police in Accra.
The issue of extortion within the public sector is gradually gaining grounds, with many losing their investments to these fraudsters.
In October 2019, three surgeons at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital were transferred for extorting monies from patients and clients who deal with the facility.
Western Regional Director for the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Naa Dr. Jacob Mahama made this known during the commissioning of a Dialysis Unit at the hospital.
He warned that any staff caught engaging in any act of misconduct will not be pardoned.
The suspects reportedly use nude pictures and videos to blackmail their victims in exchange for money.
In December 2021, the Board of Governors of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) handed an indefinite suspension to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Elvis Nyarko, over allegations of extortion.
The suspension followed what the board said was the receipt of anonymous communications from some concerned staff of the university on the alleged act of disrespect and extortion, an accusation Prof Nyarko has vehemently debunked.
Professor Nyarko insists he was not treated fairly in the matter.
On 23 February 2022, a security coordinator of the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) Company Limited was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for extortion and unlawful entry.
The convict, Lawal Fuseina, was found guilty after a full trial.
Fuseina is said to have planted a secret camera in the office of the Managing Director of the MMT, Bennet Aboagye, and used the recording to demand US$1million.
He, however, succeeded in obtaining GH¢40,000 from Mr. Aboagye.