Customs Officer Granted GH¢10,000 Bail Over Alleged Extortion at Kotoka International Airport
The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Mrs. Angela Attachie, has granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with one surety to be justified to a Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs officer, Dordoe, accused of extorting money from a traveller at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The case, which was heard on Tuesday, has been adjourned to January 21, 2026, for continuation.
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, the complainant — whose identity has been withheld — resides at Airport West in Accra, while the accused is a Revenue Officer with the GRA Customs Division, stationed at KIA.
Chief Inspector Lanyo told the court that the complainant arrived in Ghana from Dubai on November 28, 2024, with two sets of Bose musical instruments. During arrival formalities, the accused, who was on duty, assessed Customs duty at GH¢21,000, which the complainant paid and was issued an official receipt.
However, the complainant later reminded Dordoe that he had previously paid duty on the same items during an earlier trip. The accused allegedly demanded an additional GH¢2,000 in cash as Customs duty but failed to issue a receipt for that payment.
When the complainant requested verification of the transaction and an official receipt, the accused reportedly ignored the request, prompting the complainant to report the matter to the Airport Police Station.
Following the report, the accused was invited for questioning. Dordoe initially informed the police that he was on duty and requested to report later on February 17, 2025.
Subsequently, on February 20, 2025, the police sent a letter to the Officer in Charge of the GRA Customs Division at KIA, seeking confirmation of the alleged payment and the duty collected by the accused. However, no response was received.
A follow-up letter was also sent to the Customs Headquarters on April 4, 2025, requesting that the accused be released to assist with investigations, but again, there was no response.
On April 28, 2025, a criminal summons was finally served on Dordoe, compelling him to appear before the court on May 12, 2025.
He appeared as directed, was arrested, and subsequently charged with extortion and misconduct in the course of his duty.
Source – My News Ghana
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