Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Source: GNA

Court remands three for abetment of crime

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An Accra Circuit Court on Monday remanded three persons for possessing firearms without lawful authority and abetment of crime.

Bright Akuholi was said to have in his possession one locally manufactured pistol without authority, while Godson Ayikpa and Sesi Mensah were said to have aided and abetted one Bright Akuholi to commit crime.

The three pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded into police custody to reappear on June 29.

Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP, Kweku Bampah told the court that the complainants are Policemen stationed at Accra Regional Police Headquarters, while Bright is an undertaker and Godson and Sesi are both farmers.

He said on June 11, the police had information that Godson is selling locally manufactured pistols to prospective buyers and had asked Bright and Sesi to come and purchase one of the firearms for someone who is in dire need of one.

The prosecution said Bright borrowed money from Sesi, on the advice of a purported buyer, who is also an informant that the money would be paid after receiving the pistol.

He told the court that, Bright bought the pistol from a blacksmith at Frankadua, showed it to Sesi, and they both came to Accra to give it to the informant.

DSP Bempah said on reaching Accra, Bright called Godson and together with Sesi, they met at a spot at Madina.

They later proceeded to Haatso, but on reaching Haatso, Godson called the buyer to meet them for the weapon and whilst they were in a taxi together with the buyer, they were arrested by the police and the gun was retrieved in the socks of Bright.

He said in their caution statement they admitted the offences.