Inside story: Jailbird Amoateng arrested for possessing lady’s passport


The former MP for Nkoranza North in the Brong Ahafo region, who served jail term in USA for drug trafficking is in the grip of the Ghana Police for allegedly possessing a lady’s passport, which the police claimed was fraudulently acquired.

Mr. Amoateng touched down in Ghana around 2:40 pm Thursday, after serving a 10-year jail term in US prisons, having been found guilty of drug trafficking.

Just when he arrived, he was picked up and escorted to the offices of the NACOB officials for a debriefing session.

Police are investigating a fresh criminal case of passport fraud against Eric Amoateng. Mr. Amoateng is in possession of a valid Ghanaian passport No. H2347080 issued in Accra on Feb 23, 2009.

It will be recalled that Amoateng was arrested in the USA on 11th December 2005 and tried for possession of heroin a narcotic drug. He was subsequently convicted and jailed for ten 10 years which he served and was released on 30th July, 2014.  

Clearly therefore, Mr. Amoateng was in prison at the time the passport he is travelling with was issued and could therefore not have been available at the time to apply for and be issued with the passport.

Assuming that it was applied for and on his behalf, the question would arise as to how the passport form was acquired and completed, given that there is a requirement for signature and thumbprint as the case was, with regard to the old passport. 

Joy News checks
Joy News’ preliminary checks at the passport office revealed that passport No. H2347080 was issued to a young lady (name withheld).

However,  she never received her passport. Although the records still suggest that the passport is in her name. Investigations are still being conducted into how the lady’s passport ended up in the hands of Mr. Amoateng and bearing his particulars while retaining only the lady’s passport number. 

Police are convinced that they have conclusive evidence that the passport in the possession of Mr. Amoateng was allegedly fraudulently acquired.

He will therefore be required to assist investigations to unravel the mystery surrounding the acquisition of the passport, a reason why he is being detained. 

Meanwhile, family of former Nkoranza North MP, Eric Amoateng is unhappy with police decision to detain him.

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