Police still searching for Castro and Janet

On July 6, 2014, hiplife artiste, Castro born Theophilus Tagoe and his female companion, Janet Bandu disappeared during a jet-ski ride on the Volta river in Ada and many are those who believe the police charged with searching for them are not doing enough.

There are even some who believe the police has entirely stopped looking for the two but DSP James Benefo Darkwah, PRO of Police CID, says the search is still on.

“We have not given up. We still make constant checks to find out if there is anything new. We are still searching for them. The investigations to locate the whereabout of both Castro and Janet Bandu are still ongoing.

“We have extended the search and Interpol Ghana has informed their colleagues in the sub-region to search as well. That is to let us know if they come across any missing persons. They have been given the necessary information about them so we are still searching.

He said there were still open to all possibilities and hoped they would still locate the two missing persons.

“We are still hoping for a positive result from our search and since every case is treated on its own merit we have not given up hope. Legally we can only pronounce them dead after seven years so at the moment we believe they are alive” he said.

This is because The Evidence Act of 1975, Section 33, says a person can only be declared legally dead after seven years by a court, where the person in question has not been seen or heard from in seven years despite diligent and persistent efforts to find him.

Asked what has been done so far in the bid to locate the two missing persons, DSP Darkwah said “ our Marine Police as well as Intelligent Unit have been involved.

We have been to places we think we could find them. We have visited the Ada town itself, the estuary, along the beaches and all coastal towns.

“ We have also done collaborations with fishermen along the beaches to help. Although there have not been any new information in connection with the incident, we are hopeful our continous search will yield positive results.”

Touching on why they cannot call an end to the search and probably declare them dead, DSP Darkwah said legally they cannot be pronounced as dead until after seven years.

“Right now although we are doing all we can to find them, we are still apppealing to the general public to come out with information to assist us. We want Ghanaians to know we have not given up on them and still on the look out for them.

He added since the disappearance was under investigations, the criminal aspect of the case was still another aspect of the case being considered.

As long as Castro and Janet have still not been found the investigation would be covering all aspects of the matter, including the criminal elements.