Tabloid News of Tuesday, 21 October 2003

Source: GNA

Driver jailed, banned from driving for life

Elmina, Oct. 21, GNA - Kweku Attakora, a 21-year-old driver from Kissi, near Komenda, who stole a taxi-cab and took it to the Ashanti Region, was on Tuesday sentenced to two years' imprisonment by a district court at Elmina.

Attakora, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, stealing and causing unlawful damage, also had his driving license confiscated and banned from driving for life.

He was in addition, asked to pay one million cedis compensation to the complainant, or in default, serve another year in jail. In the dock with him on similar charges, was Zibo Issaka, a 22-year-old farmer also from Kissi, who was jailed two years.

The prosecution had told the court, presided over by Mr Kwame Ohene-Essel that on October 6 this year, Attakora stole a Hyundai taxi-cab, belonging to one Madam Eunice Davis.

It said Madam Davis made a report to the police at Komenda, who three days later, had information from their colleagues at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region that Attakora had been seen driving the cab without its number plate at nearby Toase and was arrested.

Attakora was sent to Komenda and during interrogation he mentioned Issaka as his accomplice, the court heard.

In his defence, Issaka told the court that although he and Attakora hatched the plan to steal the car, he later changed his mind, but could not tell the court why he failed to make a report to the police.