A 59-year-old businessman has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 after appearing before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of threatening a police investigator with a loaded pistol and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Seth Welbeck pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge Joojo Amoah on Thursday, February 6. The court admitted him to bail with two sureties who must be justified with landed property and adjourned the case to March 3, 2026 for Case Management Conference.
The Accra Regional Police Command arrested Welbeck on Tuesday, February 3 following an incident outside the Accra Circuit Court premises. According to a police press release issued on Friday, the suspect had appeared in court in connection with a separate case involving alleged forgery of judicial documents.
Chief Inspector Nego Dzigbordi, leading the prosecution, told the court that the complainant was Detective Chief Inspector Prince Okoh of the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Accra. After court proceedings concluded, the investigator was escorting Welbeck to the court cells when the suspect requested permission to lock his vehicle.
Police said Welbeck retrieved a Smith and Wesson SD9 VE pistol loaded with nine rounds of 9mm ammunition from his vehicle and pointed it at the investigator. The investigator, assisted by Court Warrant Officer Chief Inspector Margaret Nando and bystander Michael Obeng, swiftly disarmed and subdued the suspect.
The incident occurred as Welbeck descended the stairs of the one-storey building formerly housing the Accra Fast Track Court. According to court testimony, the suspect explained he needed to leave his car key for his sister to collect later before suddenly pulling the weapon.
In the separate forgery case, Welbeck faces charges under Section 188 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) for allegedly forging a Deed of Conveyance related to a property at Liberty Avenue, Okaishie. Police allege he forged a document bearing Registry Number 888/1966 purportedly executed in January 1961 between members of the Bruce Vanderpuye family and his grandmother.
Investigations, including forensic examination and confirmation from the Lands Commission, established that the deed was forged. Welbeck was initially granted police enquiry bail but allegedly jumped bail before being served with a criminal summons.
The Accra Regional Police Command cautioned the public against acts of violence and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, warning that such actions endanger lives and property. The Command urged citizens to comply strictly with lawful court processes and police procedures, stating that any attempt to obstruct justice or intimidate public officers will be dealt with firmly.
