Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 13 April 2016

Source: GNA

Court remands driver accused of stealing cab

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A 25-year old driver, Albert Mensah, who allegedly stole a taxi cab, has been remanded into custody by a Tarkwa Circuit court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing and would re-appear before the court on April 14.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court that the complainant, Mr Prince Ofori Ennin, was a businessman who resided at Angola, a suburb of Tarkwa, while the accused was a native of Ewusie-Jo in the Ahanta West District.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said in December last year, the complainant boarded a taxi with registration number 637-16, which was being driven by the accused.
He said while the complainant was aboard the taxi he had a conversation with the accused, which turned them into friends.

According to the prosecution, the accused then pleaded with the complainant to assist him to secure a new car to drive because the one he was driving developed faults often so they exchanged contact numbers.

He said in January this year, the complainant, subsequently, bought a Mazda Demio car, valued at GH¢22,000.00, registered it, and gave it to Mensah to work with it within the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.

The prosecutor said on February 15, the accused relocated from the Municipality, with the taxi cab, and all efforts made by Mr Ennin to trace him proved futile.

Mr Ennin, therefore, lodged a report with the Police.

The prosecution said while the case was under investigation, someone informed the Police that the taxi had been found at Ewusie-Jo and the accused was, consequently, arrested from his hide-out.

Upon interrogation, the accused said the taxi had been stolen but further checks by the Police revealed that the taxi had been given to the accused person’s brother.