Four military personnel, an immigration officer, and a private security man have been arraigned at the Koforidua Circuit Court “B” for their alleged involvement in an armed robbery in Akyem Akanteng, Lower West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The accused persons are Sergeant Mensah Dominic 41 years, L/Cpl Tetteh Wayo 43 years both stationed at the Jubilee House. L/CPL, Nyarko Bernard 28 years stationed at ABF at Tamale command Unit, PTE/ Eric Anim 23years stationed at 11 mechanised Infantry Battalion- Accra but currently on leave.
L.C.O/ Richard Okyere, a 27-year-old immigration officer stationed at the Ministry of Interior and 28-year-old Kelvin Marfo, a private security man at the 5th Hour Mining Company at Akwatia in the Eastern region. According to the prosecution, Assistant State Attorney Micdad Iddrisu, the accused persons on Thursday, November 9, 2023, plotted to rob 55-year-old Cocoa purchasing clerk Mr. Ofori Samuel at Akyem Akanteng.
The next day, the immigration officer, Richard Okyere, who was driving a Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS1116-11 picked up the two military officers at their duty post at the Jubilee House and then proceeded to pick up the private security man at Pokuase before heading towards Akyem Akanteng as part of their plan.
On reaching Asamankese, other two military men -Lance Corporal Nyarko Bernard and PTE Eric Anim joined the Car. They arrived in the house of their target at about 3:00 am on November 11, 2023. The accused persons dressed in military uniforms and armed with military rifles, invaded the home of the 55-year-old Cocoa purchasing clerk, Ofori Samuel.
At gunpoint they demanded GH¢100,000.00 and, with threats of violence, pushed the complainant, Ofori Samuel, inside his room. Frightened, the complainant offered them GH¢10,000 in cash and a 5-gram gold ore valued at GH¢29,000, which the suspects took before fleeing.
Upon the complainant’s timely distress call to Akwatia District Police Commander Chief Superintendent Asare Nyarko, police personnel on night duty were alerted and the suspects were apprehended at the Osenase police checkpoint.
Two military rifles, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet were recovered from the suspects. During interrogations, the first accused person handed over the 5 pounds of gold ore to the District Commander. The case docket and the gold exhibit were subsequently handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (RCID), Kibi, for further investigations.
The accused persons have been charged with two counts: conspiracy to commit the crime (robbery), and robbery.
They were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court “B” presided over by Matilda Ribeiro on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, amid heavy security escort. The defense counsel Lawyer Francis Polley prayed the court to bail the accused persons. The Court however remanded them into police custody until November 28, 2023, following a request from the prosecution Assistant State Attorney Micdad Iddrisu to allow for ongoing investigations.
The Mitsubishi L200 used by the accused persons has been impounded at the Eastern South Regional Headquarters, together with the 5 pounds of gold for further action.
The drama unfolded when one of the accused individuals objected to being filmed by EIB Eastern regional correspondent Kojo Ansah. An armed police officer escorting the accused persons insisted on video deletion, prompting the journalist to challenge the legality.
After a tense exchange, other officers at the court intervened, allowing the media to continue their work. Additionally, one accused military officer cursed the EIB journalist, predicting premature death through an accident.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
