The ‘New Force' PRO falsely obtained student permit- Prosecutors say
Per the charge sheet presented before the Kaneshie District Court, state prosecutors noted that the accused, who first came to Ghana in September 2017, became a resident following her supposed admission as a student
A Belgian national, Shalimar Abbiusi, who is the PRO for ‘New Force,” an emerging political grouping, has been charged with obtaining a student permit by false declaration, contrary to Section 52(1)(i) of the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573).
Per the charge sheet presented before the Kaneshie District Court, state prosecutors noted that the accused, who first came to Ghana in September 2017, became a resident following her supposed admission as a student of the Ghana Christian University College.
They noted, however, that checks from the college have revealed that Ms. Abbiusi has never been a student and that the documents issued by the college to support her application for a residence permit were forged.
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NEW FORCE
Per a statement issued by the group on December 7, 2023, they expressed concern about the arrest of its spokesperson, indicating that she was initially invited for a discussion on December 4 by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) but has since not been released.
It stated that irrespective of the four days of her detention, she has been denied access to legal representation, contrary to the nation’s law on bail.
The group said that her residence permit was facilitated and issued to her over three years ago by the Ghana Immigration Service and that her arrest was politically motivated.
The press statement noted that the group, New Force, has witnessed a rising attack, including the taking down and targeted destruction of its several billboards.
It thus condemned these actions, describing them as attempts to intimidate political opponents and nationals of partner countries.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have told the Kaneshie District Court that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full scale of the issue surrounding the emergence of the new group.
