Cryptocurrency fiasco: Businessman appeals to A-G over assault, kidnapping

The businessman who was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted has appealed to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to take over the prosecution of the case from the police. 

Addressing a news conference in Accra last Wednesday, counsel for Dr Kwadwo Agyapong Berry, James Kofi Afedo, accused the police of leaving out essential facts needed to make a case against the accused persons who are currently before the Accra Circuit Court.

The essential facts, counsel said, included the complainant being tortured, death threats against his client among other claims against the accused persons.

He added that the police investigators did not furnish them with the comprehensive charge sheet before arraigning the accused persons, leaving doubts over the police’s ability to effectively handle the case.

As an interim measure, counsel said his team had filed a petition at the Judicial Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service, adding that they intended to follow it up with an official petition to the A-G. 

Background

Three individuals – Albert Tetteh Botchway, David Burke and Promise Lamptey – have been charged with the kidnapping and assault of Dr Berry over a cryptocurrency transaction gone wrong.

Two other suspects, Awudu Balm and Katanga are currently on the run.

They face charges including conspiracy to kidnap, a substantive charge of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit assault, and assault.

Presiding Judge Susana Eduful, granted Burke and Lamptey bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 each, with two sureties each.

One surety must earn at least GH¢5,000, while the other must be an immediate family member.

The case has been adjourned to February 3, 2025.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, informed the court that the complainant, Berry, resided in Amrahia, near Adenta in Accra, while the accused, Botchway, Burke and Lamptey, lived in Labadi.

The court was told that Lamptey, Balm and Katanga were employees of Botchway.

Interrogation

On December 14, 2024, Berry, along with Botchway and Burke, took Benjamin Appiah Boateng to Laboma Beach to interrogate him about the alleged misappropriation of over $1.6 million from their investment.

According to the prosecution, Boateng was detained at Laboma Beach, with Botchway present, while the complainant visited daily to monitor Boateng’s efforts to recover the money.

On December 18, 2024, Burke called the complainant, asking him to come to Laboma Beach on December 19, 2024, around 0700 hours, for a meeting with both Burke and Botchway.

The prosecution said on December 19, 2024, the complainant drove to Laboma Beach for the meeting, and he was ushered to the office of Botchway by Burke.

The prosecution stated that while at Botchway’s office, Botchway deliberately stepped out.

Instruction

During this time, Lamptey, Balm and Katanga entered the office and instructed Burke to leave.

“At this stage, Lamptey, Balm and Katanga then locked the door of the office, handcuffed the complainant and subjected him to severe beating including the use of an electric wire to shock him,” the prosecution said.

The prosecution explained that the complainant reported that Lamptey, Balm and Katanga told him that Boateng had confessed that the $600,000 investment belonging to Botchway and Burke was with him (complainant).

The complainant was reportedly held in Botchway’s office from 0730 hours to 2030 hours on December 19, 2024, until the Police Intelligence Department received a tip about the incident and rescued him.

On January 2, 2025, Botchway and Lamptey were arrested for further investigations.

During questioning, Lamptey admitted to the offence but claimed that Boateng had implicated the complainant as his accomplice during their interrogation, which led to their actions.

On January 10, 2025, Burke was also arrested for investigations and later granted police enquiry bail.

The prosecution stated that Botchway, Burke and Lamptey have been charged, while efforts continue to arrest Balm and Katanga.