A man, thought to be in his late 30s, has been remanded by the Suhum Circuit Court into police custody for alleged impersonation and fraud.
Emmanuel Kwaku Oheneba, the defendant, is on trial for posing as a National Identification Authority employee and selling bogus Ghana Cards to unwitting victims in Obretema, Suhum Municipality, Eastern Region.
For each phony card he issues, he allegedly charges between thirty and fifty cedis.
About eleven victims and the Assembly Member of Obretema, John Cudjoe, reported the event to the Suhum Municipal NIA office, and the case was subsequently passed on to the Suhum Police for further action.
Peter Ntim Ofori, the NIA’s Eastern Regional Registration Officer, advised other victims to file reports of similar incidents in other districts and municipalities so that appropriate action may be taken. He further stated that when assistance is required, residents can go to any of the region’s NIA offices.
Stephen Asukpa Odame, the Suhum Municipal Registration Officer, revealed that there are presently over 3,000 unclaimed Ghana Cards in his office and advised those who have registered but haven’t received their cards to visit the Suhum office for them.
In order to avoid becoming victims, he advised people to exercise vigilance around con artists.
The suspect has been kept in custody until his next court appearance today, Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
Two further conspirators are being sought by the police.