3 arrested in Ghana for allegedly purchasing arms for Ivorian coup

Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The Ghanaian police have arrested three men for their alleged involvement in the purchase of arms and ammunition to oust the Ivorian government.

Police in the Central Region said the two Ivorians and a Ghanaian were being held for the alleged offence.

The arrest followed the detention of one Justin Kone Katinan, a close ally of ousted president Laurent Gbagbo, pending his extradition on the request of the Ivorian authorities.

The Ivorians were only identified as a 27-year-old ex-sergeant in the Ivorian Army and a 40-year-old cook, who is also a politician.

Their Ghanaian counterpart was named as Nana Emisa Mbrah, a 73-year-old former merchant naval Captain with Ghana's defunct state shipping company, Black Star Line.

The Central Region Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Stephen Andoh Kwofie, said on Monday that on 13 September, police were informed about two Ivorians lodging in a hotel in Cape Coast, about 140 kms west of Accra, who had held several meetings to procure arms to destabilise the Alassane Ouattara government in Cote d’Ivoire.

The police then organised undercover officers in the early hours of 14 September to meet the Ivorians.

Kwofie said the Ivorians requested to inspect the arms and ammunition which were said to be in a vehicle, and during the inspection police arrested them.

AK 47 rifles and various ammunition were retrieved from them.

Upon interrogation, the Ivoirians mentioned the name of their Ghanaian counterpart, Mbrah.

Kwofie said investigations were continuing to track down the remaining suspects.
-0- PANA MA/SEG 18Sept2012