Crime & Punishment of Monday, 27 June 2011

Source: GNA

Three in Court for robbery

Accra June 27, GNA - Three persons, who allegedly snatched a vehicle from driver at Abavana Junction in Accra, on Monday appeared before a High Court charged with conspiracy and robbery.

Kofi Ohene, a driver's mate, Daniel Kwabena, a driver, Kwesi Agyakwa, driver's mate are alleged to have also robbed Francis Antwi, the complainant of his sales and two mobile phones.

The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court presided over by Mr Justice Charles Quist remanded them into Police custody to reappear on July 15.

The case as presented by the prosecution was that the complainant, Mr Antwi was a taxi driver who resides at Dansoman.

On February 12, this year, at about 1230 hours accused persons who are friends met at Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle where they hatched a plan to snatch vehicles from drivers.

As a result of their plan, the accused persons on February 13, this year went to Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra and engaged the services of Mr Antwi.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons asked Mr Antwi to take them to Abavana Junction. However on a reaching a spot near Abavana junction, the accused persons asked the complainant to stop and he obliged.

Prosecution said Ohene alighted from the vehicle as if he was going to pay for the fare. Ohene, however, pulled a cutlass out and ordered Mr Antwi to surrender his sales and his mobile phone. Ohene warned the complainant not to shout else he would kill him.

Kwabena attempted to put off the ignition and pulled the car keys. Prosecution said the accused succeeded in snatching his vehicle with registration number GS 6526-10 and they bolted.

Mr Antwi, therefore, reported the matter to Police at Kotobabi. Whiles returning from their robbery spree, a Police Patrol team spotted the accused persons in the vehicle. When they were signalled by the Police to stop they ignored them.

The Police Patrol Team therefore chased them and Ohene and Kwabena were arrested while Agyakwa escaped.

Later Agyakwa was arrested at his hideout.