Tema, April 12, GNA -- Four persons on Wednesday appeared before a Tema Circuit Court "B" for robbing and causing harm to a Nigerian businessman and his wife.

They are Dennis Bentil, David Mensah, Jacob Mensah and Simon Jackson who pleaded not guilty and were remanded into custody until April 13.

A fifth accomplice Adedje also pleaded not guilty for aiding an abetment of crime, The facts as presented to the court stated that about 0130 hours, Mr Femi Uduagele, a Nigerian business man and the wife were in their room at Community 20, Tema when the four accused persons entered his room with guns and cutlasses.

Chief Inspector Nutakor said, the four accused persons ordered the complainant and the wife into one room, locked them up and inflicted cutlass wounds on Mr Uduagele's body for attempting to rescue his wife from being raped by Dennis Bentil. They however, succeeded in robbing them of four million cedis cash and jewels.

The prosecutor said Mr Uduagele, who was rushed to the Sakumono Community Hospital and later transferred to Korle-bu Teaching Hospital identified the accused persons at the Sakumono police station later in the day while Adedje was arrested on April 11, 2006.

The court was told that, Adedje did not take part in the robbery but was arrested because it was believed he engaged the services of the four because he refused to pay the complainant some money he owes him. Meanwhile the four claim they do not know Adedje.