2 NABBED FOR ILLEGAL ECG METER TRANSFER (PAGE 27, MIRROR, APRIIL 24, 2010)

From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.

Two men who have allegedly specialised in the illegal transfer of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) meters from one suburb in Kumasi to another and have been duping unsuspecting customers are in the grips of the law.
After fixing the meters, the suspects allegedly provide fake documents bearing an ECG stamp and instruct the clients to show them to any ECG official who comes to inspect their meters.
The suspects who described themselves as meter readers, were identified as Mohammed Tampori, 29, and Evans Kwabena Adjei, 26.
They were arrested on April 16, 2010 by a ECG taskforce and handed over to the police to assist investigations.
Tampori, who was the first to be arrested, was alleged to have collected GH¢1,100 from a customer at the Race Course area at Bantama before fixing the meter which was originally allocated to someone at the Moro Market at Krofrom.
ECG officials alleged other customers have fallen victim to the operations of Tampori and efforts are being made to locate the victims to assist in their investigations.
Moments after the arrest of Tampori, Kwabena Adjei was also arrested by another ECG Taskforce for allegedly collecting GH¢50 from a customer in order to fix a meter for him.
The two are currently in police custody, assisting in investigations and would be arraigned soon.
ASP James Osei Acheampong of the Kumasi Central District Criminal Investigations Department, who confirmed the arrest during an interview with The Mirror, said the police would intensify their investigations to enable them apprehend and prosecute other culprits in the metropolis.
Earlier, Mr Erasmus Kyere Baidoo of the Public Relations Unit of ECG had told The Mirror in an interview that the company was battling with illegal fixing of meters in recent times.
He said following the problem, the company formed task forces that were investigating illegal meter fixing and that had resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
He said the task force would continue their operations to enable them apprehend and prosecute all those involved in the illegal transfer of meters.