Fake soldier, police officer arrested over illegal weapons, narcotics possession

Court News

Two men have been granted bail by the Circuit Court at Dansoman. The court is presided over by Her Ladyship Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit. One of the men is a serving police officer.

The accused are Roland Adotey Maclean and G/Cpl. Jonas Adjin Lartey. They face multiple charges, including weapons possession, narcotics, and impersonation. Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder leads the prosecution.

Maclean is a cattle farmer from Ablekuma Oshuma. He was arrested on May 14, 2025, by the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID). Reports indicated he posed as a military officer in his area.

Residents claimed he harassed them with firearms. A search of his home found a Taurus pistol with 16 rounds of ammunition. Authorities also discovered military uniforms, a forged military ID card, and suspected narcotics.

Maclean denied all charges against him. He pleaded not guilty to possessing a forged document and narcotics. During questioning, he implicated Cpl. Lartey as the owner of the pistol and uniforms.

Cpl. Lartey later reported himself and was arrested. Investigations showed he obtained the firearm under false pretenses from a military officer. He claimed it was for registration with the Police Arms Department but used it unlawfully instead.

Lartey led police to another Taurus pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. He allegedly inherited this weapon from his late father. Cpl. Lartey faces charges for unlawful possession of arms and narcotics.

Both men were granted bail set at GH¢50,000 each with three sureties each. The sureties must be public servants earning at least GH¢3,000 monthly within the court's jurisdiction.

They must deposit their Ghana Cards with the court and report weekly to police officers. The case has been adjourned to July 23, 2025, for a Case Management Conference.

The prosecution must file all necessary disclosures and witness statements before then.