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More deeper and hidden revelations in the extortion allegation against respected Entertainment Journalist, Osarfo Anthony, are now coming out which are unknown to the public.
The latest revelation to have come out is that, contrary to earlier reports that alleged that Osarfo Anthony called Asamoah Gyan to forcibly threaten and demand money from the latter else the former will publish evidences of rape and sodomy against Gyan, it has turned out that Osarfo never did such a thing.
Rather, Asamoah Gyan sent one Nii Armah Armateifio who was a former presenter at Radio XYZ but now works with 3 FM at TV 3 to Osarfo, to convince Osarfo with money to stop publication on the rape and sodomy allegations in the interest of Gyan. Lawyer Ampaw made this revelation to the shock of all in court on Thursday, 18th August, 2016.
CID’s Testimony
Richmond Ayayi who was the CID in the case, is now testifying to court. On Thursday, 28th July, 2016, the CID tendered in chief, the below evidences to the court: charge and caution sheets of all four suspects, chats (Whatsapp) of one of the suspects, signed sheets of extortion money recorded with serial numbers, and the extortion money of GHC 20,000 – which included 1,000 dollars.
The court clerk took the dollar notes, counted them – only to realize the amount is 900 dollars and not 1,000 dollars as the CID had told the court. When asked why the shortage of 100 dollars from the money, the CID stood there dumbfounded – only for the prosecutor to plead for an adjournment for them to put their ‘house’ together well for next hearing – which was granted by the court.
On Thursday, 18th August, 2016, the CID brought the 1000 dollars with a sheet which is not signed by him – but by another CID who did not investigate into the case. Again, the sheet is not signed by Osarfo, the accused, to prove that the police actually took the money from him.
Defense Counsel Argue Against Evidence
Counsel for Osarfo, Dr. Maurice Ampaw, argued for the court to throw out the 1000 dollars based on the fact that the CID brought the 1000 dollars with a sheet which is not signed by him the CID – but by another CID who did not conduct any investigation into the case. Again, the sheet is not signed by Osarfo, the accused, to prove that the police actually took the money from Osarfo.
After minutes of back and forth by the Defense and the Prosecutor, the trial judge, Afia Agbanu Kumador, ruled that the dollars be “accepted as they are.”
Cross-examination
Under cross-examination, lawyer Ampaw asked the CID what steps he took to ascertain whether Asamoah Gyan had anal sex with Sarah Kwablah – in response, the CID said he did not known until he invited Sarah who confirmed that Gyan “Slept with her” in his own words.
Mr. Ampaw continued to ask if the CID know one Nii Armah Armateifio. The CID said he knows him and that “Nii is a witness for this case. He first saw the stories being published by A1 (Osarfo) and contacted A1 to stop publications on Gyan.
“Do you know Nii Armah, who was once a worker at Radio XYZ and one Randy, contacted A1 to convince him to kill the publications of the damaging evidences of sodomy and rape committed by the Black Star captain, Asamoah Gyan?” Lawyer Ampaw asked the CID.
The CID answered that he is “aware.” Nii Armah first approached Osarfo and told Osarfo in a chat that “we are ready to negotiate with you for the video and audios” – so that is how money came into the whole picture of this whole extortion charge against Osarfo.
Dr. Maurice Ampaw told the court that because Osarfo is a genuine person, he told Nii that they should put whatever they are discussing into an agreement – an indication that Osarfo meant no evil. But, Asamoah Gyan’s manager, Samuel Anim, has told the court that the attempt by Nii to meet Osarfo and pay money was something “We feigned interest. We acted up.”
Judge Made Key Note In Court
When the CID told the court that Osarfo did not call Asamoah Gyan but it’s rather one of Gyan’s agents, in the person of Nii Armah who called on Osarfo, the judged made the CID emphasize on that by asking, “So it’s rather Nii who first contacted A1?” The CID answered, “Yes my Lord.”
Background of CID
Richmond Ayayi is amongst 3 other police officers who work at the Airport Police station who were arrested for allegedly stealing GH¢1.36 million and 974 grammes of gold valued at GH¢2.1 million belonging to five Indian businessmen. Richmond Ayayi is currently on interdiction.
Next Hearing
The next court hearing is on Thursday, 25th August, 2016 – for continuation of cross-examination.
Background Of Case
The facts of the case are that an alleged sodomy story involving the skipper of the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan, broke in the Ghanaian media. The prosecutor stated that Sarah alleged in a publication that Asamoah Gyan had a sexual affair and unnatural carnal knowledge of her.
Alleged Extortion Scheme
ACP Atibilla indicated that Sarah discussed the issue with Ekow Micah and the two met with Anthony and Chris to publish the story on their website to scare Asamoah Gyan to give them money. The prosecutor further told the court that a witness in the case, Nii Armah Armateifio, who works at 3 FM, read the story on GHbase.com and quickly alerted Samuel to enable them stop the publication.
Feigning Of Interest By Complainant
As a result, the prosecutor disclosed, Samuel feigned interest to pay and when the publishers were contacted, they in consultation with Sarah and Micah charged a fee of GH¢30,000. Samuel bargained with the publishers and they settled on GH¢25,000, which the complainant agreed to pay at a meeting at Spice restaurant in Dansoman.
ACP Atibilla noted that Samuel, after the arrangement, reported the case to the police. He said on July 29 Samuel met Osarfo at the restaurant for payment, where an amount of $1,000, GH¢6,000 and a cheque of GH¢15,000 were paid to him. The police officer stated that Anthony was arrested after receipt of the money by the police and the others were subsequently arrested.
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