Sekondi/Takoradi kidnappings: One more suspect grabbed

Samuel Wills is the prime suspect[/caption] National Security operatives have arrested another person in connection with ongoing kidnap trial in the Western Region. The suspect, whose name was only given as KODA, was arrested at Ekurasi, a community in Koforidua in the Eastern Region. The Takoradi Market Circle District Court’s presiding Judge, Michael Ampadu, at the last hearing, gave the prime suspect, Samuel Wills, two weeks to help investigators locate one Kwesi who is claimed to have aided Mr Wills’s escape from police custody. When the court called the case Monday, March 4, a National Security operative, Boakye Abeam, told the court Samuel Wills told them KODA is part of his gang and can help trace Kwesi. They therefore together with Samuel Wills went to Ekurasi, where KODA, 21, was arrested. Boakye Abeam did not disclose how the operation went after the presiding Judge told him not to, for fear that the National Security’s modus operandi will be blown to the public. Three lawyers who were in court during the hearing offered to represent the families of the kidnapped girls. According to one of them lawyer, Abakah, the gravity of the case requires that someone represents the family. He also explained their decision is borne out of the daily cries from the families for their kidnapped relations to be found first, before any other matter is considered. The presiding judge then proceeded to advise the held suspect not to be afraid but give any information that will help solve the case. Samuel Wills then told the court he has some vital information to give but will require the presence of a lawyer. Following that the three lawyers accepted to go with him to the Central Police Station for him to give that supposed vital information. The court has adjourned the case to April 4, 2019. Investigators are to use the one-month period to interrogate KODA and Samuel Wills for the said Kwesi to be traced. In his closing remarks, Presiding Judge Michael Ampadu charged the investigators to also consider the authenticity of the leads of Samuel Wills and advise the court in the next sitting. According to him that will guide the court on whether to take the leads of Samuel Wills seriously or not as there is “growing concern that Samuel Wills could be delaying the court’s time”. Meanwhile, police personnel who escorted Samuel Wills had a tough time taking him away. Mother of one of the victims who appeared in court for the first time struggled with the police asking that she is allowed to question Samuel Wills. Other bystanders joined in the heckling. So intense was the heckling that Samuel Wills left one of his slippers behind. By Eric Adjei|3news.com|Sekondi/Takoradi|Ghana]]>