The Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, has granted bail to two men—one of them a serving police officer—who are standing trial for a range of serious criminal offences, including illegal possession of firearms, narcotic drug offences, and impersonation.
The accused are Roland Adotey Maclean, a cattle farmer residing at Ablekuma Oshuma, and No. 51670 G/Cpl. Jonas Adjin Lartey, a police officer with the Kwabenya Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, Maclean was arrested on May 14, 2025, by officers of the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID) after intelligence reports indicated he had been parading himself as a member of the military.
It was alleged that Maclean had used this false identity to harass residents in his community while in possession of firearms.
A search conducted at his residence yielded a loaded Taurus pistol with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, multiple sets of military and police uniforms, a fake military identification card, suspected narcotic substances, and electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phones.
Maclean has denied all charges, entering a plea of not guilty to counts of impersonating a public officer, possession of forged official documents, possession of firearms and narcotics, and defrauding by false pretences.
During police interrogation, Maclean named Cpl. Jonas Adjin Lartey as the source of the firearm and the military accoutrements. Lartey subsequently turned himself in and was taken into custody.
Investigations revealed that Lartey had allegedly acquired the Taurus pistol from a military personnel, claiming it was for registration with the Police Arms and Ammunition Unit.
However, the weapon was later found in the possession of Maclean. Lartey also assisted police in retrieving another Taurus pistol loaded with 15 rounds, which he claimed was inherited from his late father.
Cpl. Lartey faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of narcotic substances. He has also pleaded not guilty.
The court granted both accused persons bail in the amount of GH¢50,000 each, with three sureties apiece. The sureties are required to be public sector workers within the court’s jurisdiction and must each earn a minimum monthly income of GH¢3,000.
As part of the bail conditions, both Maclean and Lartey must deposit their Ghana Cards with the court and report to the police once every week pending further proceedings.
The case has been adjourned to July 23, 2025, for a Case Management Conference.
The prosecution has been directed to file all disclosures and witness statements before the next hearing.
