Joseph Kwow Addo Sam, a 52-year-old private lawyer, has been arraigned at the Achimota Circuit Court on charges of forging a will. He faces charges of conspiracy, forgery of official documents, altering official documents, and perjury. Alongside him, four others have been implicated.
The court, led by Her Honour Mrs Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, granted Sam bail set at GH¢200,000. Additionally, he must provide three sureties. One surety must be a public servant earning no less than GH¢3,000 and residing within the court’s jurisdiction. Sam is also required to report to the case investigator every Tuesday, once every two weeks.
Sam was charged with Alhaji Seidu Adams Baba, the Chief of Banda in Accra, and three siblings: Abdul Salia alias Abdallai Salia Junior, Abubakar Salia, and Saeed Salia. While Sam and Baba have entered their pleas, Saeed Salia’s plea has been deferred to August 15.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi, noted that Saeed Salia was recently arrested and the charge sheet needs to be amended.
Bernard Koranteng Obiri, representing Sam, requested bail for his client, which the prosecution did not oppose. Previously, Baba was granted bail of GH¢150,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be a public servant earning no less than GH¢2,000.
The case is adjourned to August 15. Abdul Salia and Abubakar Salia are currently at large, and a manhunt is ongoing.
The complainant, Addris Salia, a businessman, brought the case forward. The first accused is Joseph Kwow Addo Sam, a lawyer, while the second accused, Alhaji Seidu Adams Baba, is the Chief of Banda in Accra. The third, fourth, and fifth accused are siblings whose late father was Alhaji Salia Abdullai.
ASP Isaac Babayi reported that after Alhaji Salia Abdullai’s death on June 23, 2021, a will emerged, supposedly his last, deposited at the High Court’s Probate Division on May 7, 2004. The will was witnessed by the now-deceased Tony Kenyin Foli and Alhaji Seidu Adams Baba.
Suspicious of the will’s authenticity, Addris Salia conducted private checks and found that the signatures of his late father and Tony Kenyin Foli were forged. He then petitioned the Director-General of the CID for an investigation.
A certified copy of the will was obtained from the High Court Registrar. Signature samples from Alhaji Salia Abdullai were collected from Ecobank, Ghana Commercial Bank, and the Registrar General Department. Forensic experts from the Ghana Immigration Service Forensic Department and Spotlight Security Solution examined both undisputed and disputed signatures.
The investigation revealed that the signatures on the will and probate form did not match those of the named individuals. It was determined that Sam conspired with Baba and the Salia siblings to prepare the forged will. Baba signed as a witness to make it appear genuine.
The forged will and probate form were presented to the High Court Registry. On August 11, 2021, the Salia siblings applied for probate based on the forged will.
Suspicious of the will’s authenticity, the complainant petitioned the police. Sam was arrested and admitted to preparing and depositing the will at the High Court Probate Division on May 7, 2004, in his caution statement to the police. Baba was also arrested but refused to provide a statement.
The fourth and fifth accused signed the probate form, procured through fraud. Sam and Baba have been charged with the listed offenses.
In court, ASP Isaac Babayi explained that the accused individuals had planned the forgery in detail. The signatures and documentation presented to the High Court were part of a scheme to defraud the estate of the late Alhaji Salia Abdullai.
As the investigation progresses, the authorities continue their search for the remaining accused individuals. The court’s decision to grant bail reflects the ongoing legal process while ensuring the accused remains accessible for further proceedings.
The case highlights the complexities involved in estate disputes and the importance of thorough forensic examination in uncovering fraudulent activities. The Achimota Circuit Court’s handling of the matter underscores the judicial system’s role in ensuring justice is served.
The upcoming court session on August 15 will be crucial in determining the next steps in this high-profile forgery case. As the legal process unfolds, the accused will have to answer the serious charges brought against them. The outcome will serve as a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Source: Ghana Web
