All 11 suspects charged with kidnapping the Managing Director (MD) of the Intercontinental Bank, Ghana, Mr Albert Mmegwa, are to appear before the Fast Track High Court in Accra this week. The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Mr. Frank Adu-Poku, told the press in Accra the case has been moved from a circuit court to a high court because of its seriousness. He said investigations have been completed with all evidence needed, while all the suspects have been arrested and on police remand, but the five soldiers among them have been taken to the Nsawam Prisons because they misconducted themselves in police cells. Four months after his abduction on April 6, 2009, the police first arrested six persons suspected to have kidnapped the MD, and although the bank had earlier denied paying any ransom to the kidnappers for his release, the police confirmed that $100,000 had been paid as ransom before Mr. Mmegwa was released on April 8, 2009. He said following the arrest of the first six suspects, the administration requested the Military High Command to apprehend some soldiers whose names were mentioned for their alleged involvement in the kidnap. The soldiers were later arrested and handed over to the police to assist in investigations. Those in custody are Moses Ayuba, 32, alias Chairman, who is alleged to be the kingpin of the gang; Mark Bernard, 24, and Abdulai Mohammed Takai, 33, all Nigerians. The others are Foster Senu, 27, Samuel Eklu, 24, and George Adjei, all Ghanaians. The soldiers are Lance Corporal Henry Adu Yeboah, Lance Corporal Godwin Avege, Lance Corporal Patrick Akeleyera, Lance Corporal Thomas Obeng Adjei and Lance Corporal Dotse. Narrating the incident, the Director-General said Mr. Mmegwa was kidnapped while he was on his way to his house about 8. p.m. on April 6, 2009. According to him, persons said to be in military uniform showed him a letter purported to be coming from the Military High Command inviting him for “a discussion”. Mr. Adu-Poku said while the MD was going with his abductors, he was blindfolded and taken through town before being taken to an unidentified place where he was held hostage. He said the MD arranged for the ransom to be paid before he was released two days later. Source: Daily Graphic