Four persons including two Police officers have been put before the Koforidua Circuit Court ‘B’ for robbing a Police Commander.
The accused persons are Yakubu Salifu alias Adwenkese, Labaram Ganui alias Alex, Corporal Kissi Abrokwa and Corporal Elvis Mensah both ex-Police officers already standing trial in Accra over the Donkokrom Bullion Van robbery.
The accused persons have been charged for conspiracy to steal, unlawful entry and stealing, however, Yakubu Salifu and Labaram Ganui, who were present in court, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The two accused pleaded to the court to grant them bail over ill health but their plea was rejected and remanded into Prison custody.
Prosecuting Officer, Assistant State Attorney, Cyril Boateng Keteku submitting the facts of the case to the court explained that, the complainant is a District Police Commander while Yakubu, a farm labourer and Labaram, a trader live at Donkokrom Zongo.
He said, on May 31, 2016, the Police Commander who was on leave visited Donkokrom, however, he woke up around 4am to detect that thieves had broken into his room and absconded with his bag containing a pistol, two magazines with 30 rounds of 9mm ammunitions each and a cash of Ghc1, 150.00.
The Prosecuting officer said, the empty bag was later found in front of a drinking spot adjacent to the complainant’s house.
The complaint later reported the incident at the Police station. Investigations identified Yakubu Salifu as the culprit but several efforts made to arrest him failed. He was finally arrested later by a civilian at his hideout and handed over to the Police.
During Police interrogation, the first accused, Yakubu, mentioned the name of the second accused person, Labaram Ganui, as his accomplice.
He subsequently led Police to a bush near St. Michael Catholic Primary and JHS School at Donkokrom to retrieve the stolen pistol and only 15 round ammunitions were found.
According to the Prosecuting Officer, Cyril Boateng Keteku, the first accused person also implicated G/Cpl Elvis Mensah Solomon alias Fire and G/L/ Cpl Kissi -Abrokwah Daniel as the people who masterminded the theft by providing Labaram Ganui detailed information about the Police Commander’s house and the nature of the operation.
He said on June 7, 2016, Cpl Mensah Solomon met Labaram, at Ekye Amanfrom where he advised him to flee from the community because the first accused, Yakubu has been arrested by the Police and his name has been mentioned as his accomplice.
The accused persons were discharged by the Mpraeso Magistrate Court and fresh charges brought against them as the AG takes over the case.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah