Sekondi Oct.27,GNA-Four persons on Wednesday appeared before a Sekondi District Magistrate's Court for alleged robbery. They are Benjamin Amoah, 20, Maxwell Arthur, 20, Kwesi Essandoh, 19 and Kwame Ankama, 25.

In the dock with them was Richard Bassaw, a 20 year old driver at Mpohor, who was charged with aiding and abetment of crime. The pleas of the accused persons were not taken and were remanded to re-appear on November 11 this year. Two others who were also charged with robbery but on the run Ebo and Kwame Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Gordon Bawa, said Amoah, Arthur and Essandoh were small-scale miners resident at Subriso in the Mpohor Wassa East District.

He said on July 11, this year, the three accused persons went to Mpohor and contacted Ankama, Ebo and Kwame who were also small-scale miners.

Sergeant Bawa said the first three accused persons asked Ankama, Ebo and Kwame to join them to steal from the complainants, Amos Asare, a farmer and cocoa buyer resident at Subriso and Yaw Sam, a gold dealer and a farmer residing at Ningo. He said Ankama contacted his bossom friend, Bassaw, to assist with his taxi to enable them have a successful operation. Sergeant Bawa said later, the six accused persons conspired and fixed a date for the operation.

He said on July 12 this year, Ankama, Ebo and Kwame boarded Bassaw's taxi and proceeded to Benso where they picked Amoah, Arthur and Essandoh and left for Subriso. Sergeant Bawa said at Subriso, they went straight to the house Asare who was then not at home. He said the six accused persons broke into the room of Asare and succeeded in stealing 700 Ghana Cedis cash and a box of Saba soap valued at 40 Ghana Cedis. Sergeant Bawa said they proceeded to Benso where Amoah alighted with the booty.

He said the accused persons went back to Ningo and met Sam drinking with a friend and sensing danger, they laid ambush until the friend left and the place was safe. Sergeant Bawa said the five accused persons went straight to Sam's house but they left one person and the driver to wait outside. He said the accused persons attacked Sam and mercilessly assaulted him till he became unconscious. According to Sergeant Bawa, they ransacked the room and stole 1,400 Ghana Cedis and bolted when Sam's wife raised alarm. Sergeant Bawa said later, gong-gong was beaten and Amoah, Arthur and Essandoh were arrested by search parties and handed over to the Police. Three days later, the three arrested persons mentioned Ankama and was arrested at Mpohor but the other two others managed to escape. During investigations, the accused persons all admitted the offences.