CID probes FONKAR man

Page 32: Daily Graphic, March 15, 2012. Story: Albert K. Salia THE Director of Operations of Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR), Mr Ernest Owusu-Bempah, is in the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service over an allegation he is alleged to have made against the First Lady, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills. Mr Owusu-Bempah responded to an invitation by the CID between 12 noon and 1 p.m. yesterday to substantiate his allegation that Mrs Mills had received $5 million from the GH¢51.2 million judgement debt paid to the businessman Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome. A source at the CID Headquarters told the Daily Graphic that Mr Owusu-Bempah was being held for making an allegation, contrary to Section 208 of the Criminal Code. Section 208 of the Criminal Code states, “A person who publishes or reproduces a statement, a rumour or a report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that the statement, rumour or report is false, commits a misdemeanour.” According to the source, Mr Owusu-Bempah had so far failed to substantiate the allegation. It explained that Mr Owusu-Bempah knew very well that the issue of the judgement debt was under investigation and, therefore, making such a statement, knowing them to be untrue, was very serious. “As of now, he has not substantiated the allegation and it is likely he will spend the night here,” the source added. During a discussion on Oman FM on Thursday, March 8, 2012, Mr Owusu-Bempah had accused the First Lady of collecting $5 million from the Woyome judgement debt.