Kumasi, July 31, GNA - Kofi Adu, a Taxi driver who allegedly bought quantities of fuel at four different filling stations in Kumasi and sped off without paying, has been remanded by the Ashanti New Town District Court in Kumasi.

He was alleged to have been moving from one filling station to the other to buy fuel without paying for it after which he would change the number plate of the taxi to avoid being identified by his victims. Adu pleaded not guilty to the offence and will re-appear on August 4, 2008.

Police Sergeant Joseph Sallah told the court presided over by Mr Frank Owusu Afriyie that the first complainant, Eric Yeboah is an attendant at Engen filling station at Kwadaso. He said on July 15 this year at about 11 p.m., Adu went to the filling station and bought fuel worth 50 Ghana cedis and bolted. Sergeant Sallah said on July 17, the accused went to the Total filling station also at Kwadaso around 11.20 p.m. and bought fuel worth 42 Ghana cedis and run away. He again went to another filling station at Asafo on July 20 where he bought 53 Ghana cedis worth of fuel at about 10.45 p.m. and bolted.

Prosecution said on July 25, Adu went to the Bekwai Roundabout filling station around 5.30 a.m. and bought 60 Ghana cedis worth of fuel after which the attendant, John Azedu, demanding for the money, saw the accused using black cello tape to cover his cab number plate. The attendant, who suspected a foul deal, then caused his arrest and handed him over to the police when it was found that he has no money to pay for the fuel.

Prosecution said it was later revealed that the Taxi cab had two separate registration number plates, AS 92 X at the front and AS 82 X at the rear side.

Adu, who was on a police wanted list, was charged with the offences after the investigations. 31 July 08