Dismissed policemen, one other grabbed for extortion

Two persons, including a dismissed policeman, who allegedly extorted money from farmers at Noyem and its environs, near New Abirem District in the Eastern Region, have been arrested.

The two, James Panyin, 41, the dismissed policeman, and Yaw Sumaila, 40, a security guard of Rondo Ghana, a defunct mining company at Noyem, were reported to have also seized the equipment of the farmers.

They were found in possession of one locally made pistol, a set of police uniform, a pair of handcuffs, a corporal chevron, a police lanyard with a whistle, a pair of police boots and one chainsaw.

Farmers harassed

The New Abirem District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Seth Yirenkyi, confirmed the arrest to the Daily Graphic.

According to him, the two were arrested on November 3, this year, following a complaint that they were harassing some farmers.

He said investigations conducted into the incident revealed that Panyin was dismissed from the police service in August, 2013 but kept the police accoutrement with him.

“He goes around carrying out his nefarious activities against the people,” he said, and gave the assurance that the two suspects would be put before court.