Tony Aidoo pushes for prosecution of alleged NDC fraudster

Dr. Tony Aidoo         Dr. Tony Aidoo, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Castle is impressing upon the police to prosecute a man who allegedly used letter-heads from the Office of the President to extort monies from some state institutions. He argued that, despite suspicions that the alleged fraudster is a sympathiser of the ruling party, anyone caught in an attempt to defraud must face the law. The suspect whose name was given as Moses Maxwell is said to have allegedly used funds he raised, posing as the President’s Secretary, to finance the studies of some NDC foot soldiers in the United Kingdom. The suspect was arrested last Friday in a sting operation when he attempted to extort $5,000 from the Volta River Authority and mentioned some top officials apart from the President’s Secretary as people who are aware of his dealings. But Dr. Tony Aidoo told Joy News he has asked the police to go ahead and prosecute the suspect. “An official of the VRA informed me that they received a communication from somebody purporting that he is Mr Bebaako Mensah and that he wanted some money. They laid a trap and, more or less, caught the person. That is the end of the story. Those who break the law must face the law, it doesn’t matter where they are coming from.” Dr Tony Aidoo denied knowing the suspect and said his actions have put the image of the presidency into disrepute. He debunked claims that efforts are being made by some powers that be to ensure the suspect's release. “Why should they [at Castle] intervene, it is their integrity that is at stake and if you are an official at the Castle and your name is being misused for fraudulent purposes, I think it should be in your interest to see that such things do not occur and the best way is for the failed fraudster to face the law to serve as a deterrent to others,” Dr Aidoo told Joy News’ Elvis Adjetey. Public Relations Officer of the Greater Accra Region Police, Chief Inspector, Kwaku Dompreh, said the case is being investigated by he Ministries Police Station. He said the suspect is in custody and when enough evidence have been adduced against him, he would be charged for fraud. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana