A Nigerien on Monday appeared at the Aflao Circuit Court charged with stealing five idols belonging to shrines in Akatsi in the Volta Region.

Nyandu, who told the court that he is a dealer in idols, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to reappear on July 9.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Kofi Frimpong told the court presided over by Mr Francis Opoku that following the rampant stealing of idols at Aflao and its surrounding areas, a taskforce was constituted to arrest the thieves.

He said on June 18, the task force spotted Nyandu carrying a sack full of items at the Aflao border to cross into Togo.

Inspector Frimpong said when the sack was searched five blood-stained idols were found and Nyandu, who resides in Togo, was arrested by the Aflao Police.

Nyandu told the Police during interrogation that he bought the idols at some villages near Akatsi but failed to locate the villages when he was sent to Akatsi.