Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 15 January 2015

Source: GNA

Drivers accused of receiving stolen diesel on bail

Edward Awutia, 37 and John Baidoo, 44,two drivers of the Awudua Branch of the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) have been granted bail in the sum of GH¢8,000 with two sureties to be justified by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge of dishonestly receiving and would reappear before the court on January 22.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Obeng Asante, that the complainant, Francis Lartey, was a security officer at the Awudua Branch of GREL.

He said the third accused person, Abel, now at large, worked in the same company as a bulldozer operator.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said on November 27, last year, Abel stole six gallons of diesel valued GH¢90 from the company’s bulldozer truck and sold it to Awutia for GH¢70.

The Prosecutor said around 1930hours the next day, Awutia again sold diesel in a blue jerry can to Baidoo for GH¢80.

Inspector Amponsah said on November 29, Awutia was arrested at the Company’s premises when he attempted to siphon diesel from one of the company’s tractors and was handed over to the Police together with the exhibit.

The second accused person was also arrested at the Awudua Township, but the third accused was at large.