Aflao, March 8, GNA - Two persons who robbed a Cote d'Ivoire based Nigerian photographer while attempting to cross into Lome through an unapproved route were jailed 10 years each in hard labour by a circuit court at Aflao.

Amewoto Atinyo, a carpenter, 43, and Yao Anani, 26, an auto mechanic, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and stealing 4, 040, 00 CFA Franc, 2,000 Naira and a Nigerian passport from Mr Razak Balogum. Four other accomplices escaped and are on the run. Mr Stephen Wuni, Detective Police Sergeant of Aflao, told the court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri that on February 17, Mr Balogum arrived at Aflao from Abidjan at about midnight in transit to Nigeria. He said Mr Balogun, who was in the process of finding a safe place to pass the night, was convinced by other travellers that they could use an unapproved route to Lome to continue their journey. Mr Balogum followed his supposed colleague travellers to Beat Nine on the Ghana/Togo frontier and some of the travellers crossed the border. But before Balogum could enter Lome, Atinyo, Anani and others numbering about six emerged and accosted him accusing him of breaking entry regulations and told him he was under arrest.

Atinyo demanded to conduct a search on Balogum, having introduced himself as a policeman and in the process the group removed the monies and passport from the pockets and underwear of Balogum.

He said Atinyo, who was arrested the following morning by the police, admitted the offence and led the police into his room where 535,000 CFA Franc, his share of the booty, was retrieved. Mr Wuni said Gabriel Essien, one of the suspects on the run, also deposited his share of 280, 000 CFA with a night watchman of the court and informed the police through his cell-phone.