Two land guards who allegedly threatened a businessman with a toy pistol and succeeded in collecting 500,000 cedis and a bottle of schnapps at Weija have been remanded in prison custody on Monday by a circuit tribunal in Accra.

Abdul Fatawo, 32, pleaded not guilty to extortion, possessing Indian hemp, resisting arrest and threat of death. Baba Ntawor, 24, also pleaded not guilty to extortion, possessing fireman without authority and resisting arrest. They will reappear on October 15.

Chief Inspector Benedicta Akolgo told the tribunal, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Anderson Yebuah that on September 29 this year when the complainant, Mr. Johnny Charway and his workers, were digging the foundation of his building on his plot of land at Weija the accused emerged from a nearby bush and asked them to stop work.

They asked Mr Charway to give them 500,000 cedis before they would allow him to continue working. Prosecution said Mr Charway, out if fear agreed to give them the money the next day and lodged a complaint with the police. On September 30, at about 12 noon, the police accompanied the Mr. Charway to the site and arrested the accused persons.

When the police searched them they found a wrapped cement paper containing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp in Fatawo's pocket.

Accused however mentioned one Osumanu as the one who engaged them as land guards to be collecting digging fees from land developers on behalf of the Chief of Gbawe.