Voice recordings to blackmail Asamoah Gyan tendered in evidence
A voice recordings of Sarah Kwablah and three others discussing and planning on how to black mail Black Star skipper over an alleged sex tape has been admitted in evidence.
The recording, which is on a mobile phone, is however expected to be transferred unto a Compact Disc (CD) or pen drive so it could be played in court.
The Circuit Court, therefore, ordered prosecution to assist the court in ensuring that the recordings would be played in court.
An I-phone which contained the various text messages from the accused persons was missing. Mr Samuel Anim Addo, the manager of Gyan said he however has printed out the text messages.
According to him, he would go for the same sim card from Vodafone Ghana by tomorrow and it likely he could retrieve all messages including whatsApp messages on the phone.
This came to light when Sarah Kwablah, a student, in the alleged Asamoah Gyan sex tape saga and three others appeared before it.
She is standing trial with three others namely, Osafo Anthony a 29-year old journalist, Chris Handler, a 24 year old blogger and Ekow Micah a 43 year old musician. They have also been charged with conspiracy and extortion.
Micah Ekow a Musician and an accomplice, was charged with abetment of crime. They have denied the charges.
Sarah was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢60,000.00 with three sureties after pleading not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and extortion.
Anthony and Handler have also been admitted to a bail of GH¢60,000.00 with three sureties.
Micah was also given a bail of GH¢20,000 with two sureties before the court presided over by Ms Afi Agbanu Kudimor.
When case was called today, Micah had not been brought from lawful custody. Prosecution said he could not tell why Micah was not in court.
However the court noted that since Micah was represented by his lawyer the case could go on.
Continuing with his evidence Mr Samuel Anim Addo, told the court that apart from the mobile phone he has printed out the various text messages from Osafo Anthony.
The text messages and a pen drive also containing the “conversation of extortion” among the accused persons were tendered in evidence.
Mr Addo told the court that the black star skipper had been his childhood friend since 2002 and began managing Gyan’s business since 2010.
According to the first prosecution witness, he manages Gyan’s businesses, Public Relations and family issues.
“My Lord I don’t manage his personal life because he is an adult,” Mr Addo said.
Answering questions under cross examination by Dr Maurice Ampaw, counsel for the accused persons except, Handler, the witness said in managing Gyan, he has limits in terms of social life and Gyan’s relationship with women.
The prosecutor Assistant Commissioner of Police Moses Atibillah on September 18 told the court that Mr Addo is the complainant and a manager of Gyan.
Prosecution said Anthony is an employee of Handler. In June, an alleged sodomy story broke out in Ghana’s electronic and print media and the said story was attributed to Gyan.
ACP Atibillah explained that in the said publication Sarah alleged that Gyan had had sexual intercourse and anal sex with her; she became pregnant as a result of the act.
According to the prosecutor, Sarah discussed the issue with Micah and met Anthony and Handler to discuss the issue to publish the story on their website in order to scare Gyan who will in turn give them money.
Anthony and Handler published the first story on their website and promised to release the sex tape in their subsequent editions.
Prosecution said a witness in the case read the story on their website known as Ghanabase.com and alerted the complainant.
The complainant contacted Anthony on phone and they threatened to release the sex tape unless a colossal amount was paid or a house was bought for Sarah.
ACP Atiibilah said in the complainant’s bid to protect the image of Gyan asked Anthony and Handler to hold on with the publication.
Prosecution said Anthony and Handler threatened to defame Gyan and they called for an urgent payment of the money.
Complainant, prosecution said, feigned interest to pay. When Handler was contacted they charged GH¢30,000.00. Complainant bargained and they settled on GH¢25,000.00.
Complainant, Anthony and Handler agreed to meet at the London Restaurant. Complainant reported the matter to the Police and on July 29, Anthony met at the London Restaurant and $1,000.00; GH¢6,000.00 and a cheque of GH¢15,000.00 were given to him.
Anthony was however nabbed when he received the money. The rest of the accused persons were arrested later. The case has been adjourned to November 19
Source: GNA