Four final-year students of the Akwatia Technical Institute (Akwatech) have been arraigned before the Kade community tribunal on charges of conspiracy to commit crime and preparing to set the school ablaze.

They are David Pippim, Isaac Antwi, Victor Adusei and George Appietu.

Inspector F.S. Adikah, prosecuting told the tribunal that on September 29, An afternoon roll call by the vice-principal of the school discovered that some of the students including the accused had left the compound without authority.

As a punishment, they were expelled from the boarding house.

The four went and lodged with a friend at Amanfrom camp and plotted to burn the institute.

The prosecutor said they later went to the vice principal to demand a refund of their boarding fees, which was turned down.

The four then decided to burn down the school canteen in retaliation.

He said Isaac Antwi drew a sketch of the area and then planned to set two gas tanks behind the school kitchen ablaze.

Inspector Adikah said the four approved the plan and vowed not to reveal it to anybody.

On October 3, David Pippim and Isaac Antwi bought petrol and a rope they soaked in the fuel.

They planned to tie the petrol-soaked rope to the gas tank and from a distance in the nearby bush, set fire to the rope to get the tank ablaze in their bid to destroy the kitchen and other structures.

The school authorities had a tip-off and reported to the police.

When the room of the students was searched, police discovered the rope soaked in a bucket of petrol, a lighter and a bottle suspected to have been used for the purchase of the petrol and they were arrested and charged with the offence.

The four pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody until October 18.