Fake ECG Staff Nabbed, Arraigned Before Court

Isaac Akwasi Agyei, a 38-year-old fake staffer of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has been arraigned before the Assin Fosu District Court in the Central Region.

The suspect was on August 30, 2024, arrested by the Assin Fosu District Police Command on grounds of impersonation as staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and consequently defrauding customers in the Assin South District in the Central Region over revenue mobilization.

Accused on his operating strategy is said to often clad in ECG attire, targeting customers in rural areas of the constituency like Assin Kwafokrom, Assin Appiahkrom and neighbouring communities.

According to report, he demanded Gh¢50 from customers with outstanding debt above GH¢200, threatening disconnection if payment is not made.

Agyei in some instance, removed service wires from meters and accepted alternative forms of payment from customers who couldn’t meet up his cash payment requirement.

His scheme was unraveled when victims became suspicious and reported him to the Assembly Member, leading to his arrest and detention in police custody.

The suspect following his arrest, was first arraigned before the Assin Fosu District Court on 17th September, 2024, but was made to reappear in court on September 25, 2024, where he was charged with three counts.

To wit, defrauding by false pretence on all three counts, but pleaded not guilty to all counts with a bail granted him by the court upon meeting his bail condition of GH¢5,000 with one surety who was required to live within the jurisdiction of the court.

John Kwame Danso, a complainant to the case in an interview with *Sompa News Eric Annan*, relayed his unwavering committment towards the trial until the final verdict and deserving sanction is passed on the suspect.

He beseeched fellow complainants of the lawsuit to make conscious effort to turnout in court whenever the case is called for hearing.

Assembly Member for Appiahkrom-Beyeben Electoral Area, Hon. Robert Aidoo Amissah who officially reported for the arrest of the suspect, urged the Ghanaian citizenry to be wary of such impersonators who comes in diverse ways to defraud ignorant individuals of their hard earned money.

He pleaded on the court to administer fair hearing and justice to the suspect in other to serve as deterrent to prospective impersonators within the country.

The case following its third hearing in court on Wednesday, October 23, presided over by His Worship Abdul Majeed Illiassu of the Assin Fosu District Court, has been adjourned to November 27, 2024.

Complainants to the case, John Abban, Robert Aidoo Amissah, John Kwame Danso, and Rafael Ludu following adjournment of the case have been required of the court to consent to disclosures by Prosecutor of the case, Inspector Matilda Osaah before court’s next sitting on the case.

The ECG General Manager of the Central Region, Emmanuel Lumor, following the incident has implored customers to be vigilant of fraudsters posing as ECG staffs.