Sports official in court for injuring state reputation

James Armah, a Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council, who allegedly collected GH¢4,000 each from 14 able persons for them to participate in a sports tournament for the deaf held in Australia last month, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Friday charged with false reports injuring the reputation of the state.

He pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mr D.E.K. Daketsey remanded Armah into Police custody to reappear on August 20.

Mr Agyei Mensah, counsel for Armah, applied for bail saying the charge preferred against him did not constitute offences for which bail should be declined.

According to him, his client was desirous to appear and stand trial adding that he had no intention to abscond.

He said no one could tell whether those who absconded after the tournament were really able persons or not.

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police P.K. Frimpong informed the court that the police would need the accused person to assist in conducting further investigations into the matter.

He said in December 2008, Armah and his accomplice, who was yet to be identified, sent a letter and a list to the Australia Deaf Association to play football in that country.

Their Australian counterpart, the prosecution said, accepted to host the tournament in July.

Based on that, Armah and his accomplice obtained visas to enable the group to travel to Australia.

On July 18 the accused and a group of deaf and hearing persons departed to Australia to participate in the tournament slated for July 20-27.

Armah allegedly charged each of the 14 people GH¢4,000 each but returned with none of them.

The prosecution said the accomplice was being sought by the Police.

Source: GNA