Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday remanded into prison custody a 27-year-old unemployed for assaulting and disarming a policeman.

Abdulai Osuman, charged with assault of public officer, resisting arrest, causing harm and stealing pleaded not guilty.

Lance-Corporal Frederick Sena Kleku, the victim, lost one of his teeth and sustained wounds on his right thumb. Abdulai is to reappear on March 2.

When the trial judge asked whether he was an ex-serviceman, Abudulai replied in the negative but stated that he only works on a rubbish dump.

Trial judge: Have you worked with Committees for the Defence of the Revolution or had any form of training?

Abdulai: No.

The case as presented by Chief Inspector Peter Benneh was that the complainant Lance-Corporal Kleku was stationed at Airport Police Station, Accra.

Chief Inspector Benneh said on February 12, at about 0540 hours, Lance Corporal Kleku was returning from his duty post at Barclays Bank, Opeibea Branch, when he spotted Osuman carrying three pieces of plywood. Lance-Corporal Kleku became suspicious and challenged him. The prosecution said Osuman admitted stealing the plywood from a building site near Airport Traffic Light and pleaded for mercy. Chief Inspector Benneh said in his bid to plead, Osuman knelt down but pulled Corporal Kleku's legs and he fell.

A struggle ensued between them and Osuman pulled an object and hit Lance Corporal Kleku who lost his teeth.

Osuman also bit Lance Corporal Kleku's right thumb and snatched his SMG rifle loaded with 10 rounds of ammunitions.

The prosecutor said Lance Corporal Kleku raised an alarm and called for reinforcement from the Airport Police Station and Police Mobile Force Unit who rushed him to the hospital.

The Police team combed the area and retrieved the weapon hidden under a culvert.

The prosecutor said on the same day the Police had a tip off that Osuman was hiding at Maamobi and he was arrested.