Six Ghanaians including a retired military officer and a contract member of staff of the National Security have been arrested in Accra and Frankfurt, Germany, for their alleged involvement in the procurement of Ghanaian passports.
Mark Marcus Quaye, a contract member of staff of the National Security whose contract expires on December 31, 2015, is alleged to have connived with a retired military officer, Godfred Adu Mensah, popularly known as 'Shooter,' to act as a middleman for individuals seeking to acquire passports.
According to sources at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the illegal activities of Quaye and his accomplices were uncovered by the BNI following the arrest of six Ghanaians in Frankfurt, Germany, this week, in connection with the passport deals.
Five of the Ghanaians arrested in Frankfurt were carrying Ghanaian service passports, while their leader, Francis Kwame Opare, was carrying a diplomatic passport.
Close scrutiny of his diplomatic passport, The General Telegraph gathered, revealed that information on the bio-data page was false but the passport booklet was a genuine one.
Opare was arrested by German security officials after they received reports that he was trafficking five Ghanaians into the country.
He was detained and it came out during interrogation that he acquired the diplomatic passport through Quaye, who was consequently arrested but he denied wrongdoing. He claimed he was a national security operative.
The retired military officer who is also alleged to be an activist of the National Democratic Congress, allegedly confessed to help people acquire Ghanaian passports in order to earn a living.
The BNI sources said checks at the Passport Office in Accra revealed that Quaye and his accomplices were often able to enforce law and order at the Passport Office because of their claim that they worked with National Security.
Officials at BNI have however dismissed an allegation that Quaye until his arrest had been the head of the National Security at the Flagstaff House.
Latest Stories
-
We’ve saved $57.9m from procurement of BVDs, BVRs – EC insists
6 mins -
Catholics hail Bawumia for religious diversity after visit to Pope Francis
12 mins -
We’ll address all internal issues before December polls – Stephen Ntim assures NPP
15 mins -
NPA boss re-elected as President of African Refiners and Distributors Association
28 mins -
Today’s front pages: Monday, April 29, 2024
37 mins -
Ejisu by-election: I’m not an NDC member; address internal issues bothering your members – Aduomi to NPP
40 mins -
‘We have missed him for months’ – Arteta on Thomas Partey
55 mins -
Togo heads to polls amid tensions over law reform
57 mins -
Nigerians excited over Harry and Meghan’s planned visit
60 mins -
‘We are sorry but we need to stay calm’ – Andre Ayew on Black Stars recent form
1 hour -
Election 2024: Bawumia dares Mahama to two-man debate
1 hour -
Bawumia is a man of integrity and discipline unlike Mahama – Miracles Aboagye
1 hour -
Ejisu by-election: NDC is sponsoring Aduomi; don’t vote for him – Bawumia to NPP supporters
2 hours -
Freedom of speech must engender development
2 hours -
Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the high-achiever fighting for the welfare of women and children
2 hours