Agona Swedru, March 19 GNA - Two members of the Agona West Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have appeared before an Agona Swedru Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing the Nissan Pick up allocated to the Constituency Chairman by the party headquarters. Ibrahim Yahaya and Gibrin Adam pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on March 26.

Police Superintendent Raymond Mantey, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Kofi Sunu, that on November 13, 2008, Adam and Yahaya went to Yaabem, a suburb of Agona Swedru, and snatched the Nissan pick up from the driver, Mr Charles Osei, who was returning from an errand.

The prosecution said the driver quickly informed Mr Adofo Dwamena, the constituency chairman, who reported the incident to the Police. He said the vehicle was not seen again until after December 7 elections, when the chairman saw Yahaya driving it, and reported it to the police.

Superintendent Mantey said all attempts made the Police for Yahaya to release the vehicle to the Chairman proved futile. He also disregarded directives from Mr Samuel Kweku Obodai, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Area and the Central Regional Chairman, Mr Danquah Smith to do same.

The prosecution said the police later arrested the two accused persons and for their arraignment. The presiding judge said the court gave party and the MP the opportunity to settle the matter out of court but since they could not do so the trial must go continue.