Crime & Punishment of Monday, 11 June 2007

Source: GNA

Two fake soldiers remanded into prison custody

Kumasi, June 11, GNA- Two unemployed young men who allegedly posed as military officials harassing and robbing residents in Kumasi during the night have been remanded into prison custody by a Kumasi Circuit Court.

Kwabena Sakyi and Kwadwo Tieku, whose pleas were not taken, will re-appear before the court on June 29.

Police Inspector Wilfred Salia, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr Richard Mac Kwagyapwah, that the two who were dressed in military attire were spotted at Asokwa near Spirit FM area stopping cars and harassing them.

The two fake soldiers mistakenly flagged a vehicle driven by the complainant, a soldier to stop, unfortunately for them the vehicle was conveying a group of military men on night patrol duties. Prosecution said the suspects on seeing that the vehicle they had attempted to stop was a military patrol car, took to their heels but were given a hot chase and arrested.

Inspector Salia said Sakyi and Tieku who claimed they were soldiers stationed at Tamale and Accra later denied being soldiers and when they were searched, a toy pistol, one mobile phone, a bunch of keys, quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a cash of 1.7 million cedis were found on them.

A further search in their rooms revealed that they also had in their possession two military shirts, three military jackets and trousers, one military cap and a waist belt.