A 44-year-old self-proclaimed Imam who allegedly threatened to kill his estranged wife has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.
Mohammed Abubakar Imam Lanson alias Andre was granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties to be justified.
The court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, ordered Lanson to deposit his passport at the court’s registry until further notice.
Charged with threat of death, Lanson has pleaded not guilty.
Lanson was granted bail after his counsel, Mr. Theophilus Donkor, moved for it on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Mr Donkor told the court that Lanson, a businessman, had sureties who would execute his bail and that his client had a fixed place of residence and was gainfully employed.
According to the counsel, Lanson was not a flight risk, and he was ready and prepared to ensure that the trial was completed quickly.
He drew the court’s attention to the fact that Lanson had other children who depended on him.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, told the court that Lanson’s bail should not be “soft,” and that the accused should appear to stand trial.
The amended facts as narrated by Chief Inspector Lawer, were that the complainant, Maimuna Sarki Abubakar, is a social worker and a Nigerian national living in the United Kingdom.
The prosecution said Lanson lives in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar is Lanson’s estranged wife.
In January 2020, Lanson contacted Abubakar over social media and began conversing with her.
According to the prosecution, Lanson portrayed himself to Abubakar as an Imam of a mosque and convinced her to marry him, to which she accepted.
The court heard that prior to their separation, Abubakar purchased a parcel of land in East Trassaco through Lanson and built a one-story residential building on it.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar furnished the house and returned to the UK.
Whenever Abubakar came to Ghana to meet Lanson, she stayed in the house with him.
In 2020, Lanson persuaded Abubakar to buy and ship a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2019 Infinity CPX vehicles to him in Ghana to sell and use the proceeds to purchase another parcel of land in Adjiriganor for her.
The prosecution said Abubakar bought the vehicles and had them sent to Lanson.
According to the prosecutor, Lanson sold the vehicles and used the proceeds to buy four plots of land at Adjiriganor.
However, Lanson had the lease documents registered in his name rather than Abubakar’s.
“The accused person upon realizing that the complainant had invested so much in the Trassaco house, the land other properties she bought in Ghana, started abusing her.
Lanson physically assaulted and injured Abubakar in October 2022, and then threatened to kill her without provocation, the court was told.
The prosecution said Lanson said, “I have scammed you; I am taking over your building and all your properties here in Ghana, including your daughter. If you dare get closer to these properties again, I will kill you.”
The court also heard that Abubakar was forced to relocate to the United Kingdom out of concern for her life.
The prosecution said that Abubakar managed to get a caretaker, Kofi Mensah Omani, a witness in the case, to live in the property but was forced out by Lanson.
On September 15, 2023, Abubakar authorized her cousin, Abubakar Sambo, to report the incident to the police, and Lanson was arrested on November 1, 2023.
The prosecution said investigations were ongoing.
Latest Stories
-
Bawku conflict: We’re playing with fire, gov’t must stamp its authority – Kofi Bentil
3 mins -
Supreme Court under Akufo-Addo is acting supranational – Tony Aidoo
6 mins -
Israeli Ambassador Designate tours Jewish education centres in Ghana
48 mins -
Climate harm affecting mothers, babies is one of the warnings being directed at COP29 decision-makers
1 hour -
Bawku conflict: You cannot exile someone from his hometown – Member of Nayiri Legal Team
1 hour -
Bawku conflict: Let’s take Alhaji Seidu from Bawku to restore calm – Dr Victor Doke
1 hour -
Video: John Laryea beats Nicaraguan Alexander Mejia in debut international fight
1 hour -
NPP sympathisers top list of perpetrators in Journalists attacks – GJA
2 hours -
Security lapse likely behind renewed Bawku conflict – Dr. Victor Doke
2 hours -
Over 100 staff accuse BBC of bias in coverage of Israel’s war in Gaza
2 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex strike late to seal draw against Accra Lions
3 hours -
You cannot soon make phone calls or drive your car when “dumsor” occurs
3 hours -
Ghana CCG Network unites voices to champion sustainable energy, transportation solutions
3 hours -
ETHAccra 2024 unites West Africa’s top innovators in blockchain development at University of Ghana
3 hours -
African journalists call for stronger protections and justice on International Day to End Impunity
3 hours