Bail to Armed Robber With HIV

The Tema Circuit Tribunal on Tuesday granted 30 million cedis bail with two sureties to be justified to a suspected armed robber, who is HIV positive. The plea of Samuel Thorthy, 32, was not taken. He had been in prison custody since March 25.

With the accused were three others, Anthony Weimatu, Michael Safo and Moro Mahamadu all charged for allegedly robbing the house of Dr Benjamin Forkuoh of the Tema General Hospital.

Thorthy tested HIV positive when he reported sick while on remand at the Nsawam Prison. The prison authorities said they lacked facilities to quarantine the suspect.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi told the tribunal that on March 3, at about 02:30 hours, Thorthy and the three others in the company of two accomplices now at large, forcibly broke into the residence of Dr Forkuoh.

On entering the room, one of them shot Mrs Forkuoh in the right leg and made away with 200,000 cedis cash, some dollars, jewellery and other personal effects.

The Prosecutor said a Police/Military Patrol Team was informed about the robbery, but the robbers escaped with their booty before they arrived.

However, investigations later led to their arrest in a hide out.