The Bolgatanga Circuit Court in the Upper East Region has been granted a bail of GH¢20,000 with two sureties to the secretary of National Patriots against on Justice and Corruption (NAPAIC-Ghana), Zumah Tii-roug.
Zumah Tii-roug who also gave his name in court as Zumah Baba Yaro is standing trial for an attempt to commit to wit extortion contrary to section 18(1) and 151(1) of the criminal offences Act 1960, ACT 29.
In his appearance before the court, the accused person (Zumah Yaro) pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
Counsel for the accused person, Sheikh Arif, prayed the court for bail, adding that, the accused person had another case in another court and that if he is refused bail it would affect his other case in court.
But prosecution argued that, the police were yet to finalize their investigations before the trial of the case and that granting the accused person bail will compromise investigations.
However, the presiding judge of the court, His Honour Sumaila Ahmadu granted bail of GH¢20,000.00 with two sureties to Zumah Baba Yaro and adjourned the case to May 2, 2023.
Facts of the case
Complainant Thompson Amartey is a marketing officer residing at Kalbeo a suburb of Bolgatanga. The accused person, Zumah Baba Yaro is a teacher residing at Zaare a suburb of Bolgatanga.
On April 13, 2023, Zumah Yaro went to a drinking spot behind Forestry Commission and informed the spot owner that the complainant (Thompson Amartey) is having romantic affairs with a married woman which he (Zumah Yaro) has videos and photographs to that effect.
The spot owner who knows the complainant very well became worried and informed the complainant about the allegations.
The complainant proceeded to the drinking spot and met Zumah Yaro. Mr. Yaro then told the complainant that the videos and photographs that he had in his possession are too bad, and it would be dangerous for the husband of the married woman to see them.
Mr. Yaro then forwarded a picture of the complainant sitting with the married woman to the complainant through WhatsApp.
He then asked the complainant (Thompson Amartey) how much he could afford else he (Zumah Yaro) would forward the videos and photographs to the woman’s husband.
The complainant told Zumah Yaro that he was innocent of the allegations and insisted that Zumah Yaro should call the woman and her husband to the scene.
Mr. Yaro refused to make the call and decided to leave the scene, but the complainant prevented him and called the police.
As the complainant was calling the police, Zumah Yaro managed to escape from the scene leaving his Royal motorbike with registration number M-14-UE 1374 behind.
Police proceeded to the scene and retrieved the motorbike to safety and Zumah Baba Yaro was later arrested and arraigned before court on Monday, April 17, 2023.