Accra, April 8, GNA - An armed robber, who allegedly held a Businessman and his family hostage at gunpoint before stripping the house of electrical gadgets, 18 million cedis and unspecified amounts in foreign currencies was on Friday remanded in prison custody by the Adjabeng Court in Accra.

Kofi Adu, alias Wofa Adu, 48, whose plea was not taken, is charged with conspiracy and robbery. He will reappear on April 21. Seven accomplices of Adu are on the run.

The Prosecutor, Police Chief Inspector Michael Asamoah had earlier pleaded in his submission that the Court, presided over by Mrs Jennifer Dodoo, should remand Adu to enable him to assist the Police in their investigations.

Chief Inspector Asamoah told the Court that at about 0315 hours on March 25, this year Mr Francis Kwafkwao, the complainant, woke up from sleep after an unusual sound and saw the accused person and a gang of seven armed with locally manufactured pistols. The gang took Mr Kwafkwao and his family hostage and robbed them at gunpoint.

The Prosecutor said the gang succeeded in taking away 18 million cedis, huge sums of foreign currencies, lap top computers, electronic gadgets and mobile phones.

The robbers also inflicted wounds on the complainant, his Maidservant and another complainant in the case and then bolted with the booty.

Chief Inspector Asamoah said upon investigation Adu was arrested. He personally handed over some of the stolen items, but claimed he found them abandoned on the street.