Vincent Addo Lomotey, a welder and Ashie Nikoi, a factory hand, who are accused of robbing a woman of three million cedis, a wrist watch, a mobile phone and a set of jewellery and threatening to kill her were last week arraigned before a circuit tribunal in Accra. Lomotey, 33 and Nikoi, 30, pleaded not guilty.

Based upon facts presented by the prosecutor, Police Inspector Emmanuel T. Boison, the tribunal chaired by Mr. Imoru Ziblim granted Nikoi, bail in the sum of ?20 million. Lomotey, charged with conspiracy and robbery was remanded in prison custody. They are to re-appear on July 12.

The tribunal heard that the complainant, Ms Ayishatu Alhassan is a sales agent who lives at Labone Estates. On March 17, a gang of four armed robbers ransacked her room and made away with the cash and other items. They locked her and other residents of the house in a bathroom and absconded.

Ms Alhassan managed to free herself and made a report to the police.

The tribunal was told that on July 2, Ms Alhassan went to the La Beach Resort where she spotted and identified Lomotey as one of the robbers who attacked her. She informed the police on phone and a patrol team was sent to arrest him. Ms Alhassan and three of her brothers attempted to arrest Lomotey but Nikoi obstructed them by drawing a knife and threatening to stab anybody who tried to arrest Lomotey who escaped. The police arrived and arrested Nikoi and Lomotey gave himself up later.