Two prison officers have been arraigned before court after CCTV caught them assisting a Chinese prisoner in their custody to escape.
Wang Xiao was in prison following his conviction of theft and other criminal-related offenses.
The two accused officers told their superiors that after visiting the hospital, they were approached by a Toyota Vitz car, which then drove away with the Chinese convict.
However, the prosecution told the Accra Circuit Court that the officers accompanied Wang Xiao to the Oceans Hotel in Korle Gonno to meet his wife for a discussion after they left the hospital premises.
In exchange, he promised to give them a GHC1,000 reward, which they agreed to split.
Chief Inspector Alorwu said the accused removed the convict’s handcuffs and took him to the hotel as agreed.
They sent the Chinese convict to a room, where they met his alleged wife, who offered them KFC rice and drink while she spent some time with the husband alone.
The convict and his alleged wife later fled through the balcony of the hotel.
The prosecution said after the accused officers reported the prisoner’s escape to their superiors at the Prisons National headquarters, they made a complaint to the police.
During investigations, the accused officers led police to the hotel where they reviewed the CCTV footage.
The footage revealed that the convict and his wife jumped from the balcony of the first-floor building and fled while the accused were relaxing in the reception area after taking their meals.
They only realized the escape after the hotel staff alerted them to check on the convict.
The officers were subsequently charged with conspiracy and aiding escape.
They pleaded not guilty, and the court has granted them GhC100,000 bail each, with two sureties each.
They are to reappear before the court on April 9, 2024.