Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - A 34 year-old Ivorian, who received 20 stolen diplomatic passports was on Tuesday jailed 36 months with hard labour by a Circuit Court in Accra.

Labognon Ernest Lobognon, (sub correct) unemployed, pleaded guilty to dishonestly receiving and the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Ankamah convicted him accordingly.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eric Amoako said Lobognon was domiciled in Lome.

The prosecution said security personnel received a tip-off from Lome that Lobognon had in his possession some of the diplomatic passports stolen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Accra on June 25, this year.

Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) arrested the convict in Lome. During investigation, Lobognon stated that the diplomatic passports were given to him by Elanga Zetha Vinny, now convict, to sell for him but he was arrested in the process.

Vinny, who stole the diplomatic passport was currently serving a 10-year jail term in Ghana for stealing the passports.