Three out of the five-man robbery gang that allegedly trailed and robbed Lydia Horsu, the marketing clerk of Koala Shopping Centre in Accra, yesterday opened their defence in the ongoing trial.

They are Michael Edoe Ahiataku, Frederick Sedro Kwame aka Fred – a private security guard – and Gilbert Osabutey aka Obolo, a shop supervisor at Koala.

The three, led by their various lawyers, vehemently denied their involvement in robbing Lydia at about 8am on January 9, this year. Items they are accused of snatching from her included Nokia phone worth GH¢800, a black ladies’ bag valued at GH¢200, a Koala ID card, invoices and an amount of GH¢100.

Michael admitted knowing the other accused persons in the dock but denied planning to rob the complainant with them.

He said on the day of the incident, he was at his workplace when police officers from Cantonments came looking for him.

Michael said he was sent to the police station, claiming that but for the case, he did not know Lydia.

He stated that it was false for the case investigator – who had earlier testified in the case – to insist that he (Michael) called Fred on phone to plan the robbery.

Michael said at the Central Police Station that he was shown pictures to identify the images which he said one looked familiar but he was slapped from behind with the command to be forthright with the truth.

On his part, Fredrick also denied his involvement in the robbery that almost caused Lydia her leg.

He said he only heard of the robbery incident after he had called Michael on phone at about 8:30 pm on the day it happened.

Obolo’s story was not different from the others when he also mounted a spirited defence.

Under cross-examination, the prosecutor, Chief Superintendent Duuti Tuaruka, doubted the evidence of the accused persons, insisting that they all planned before executing the robbery.

Other accused persons in the case are Stanley Obaliko aka Mohammed Sulemana, Oko Quarcoe, unemployed.

Sulemana and Okoe have also been charged for intentionally and unlawfully causing grievous harm to Lydia.

Sulemana is facing an additional charge of possessing one automatic MAB foreign pistol No. PA151674189, six 9mm ammunition and five empty cartridges.