Eight remanded for manufacturing firearms

Eight persons were on Wednesday remanded by an Accra Circuit Court for manufacturing firearms without lawful authority and abetment of crime.

One of them, Daniel Forfoe, was charged for manufacturing firearms while the remaining seven Andres Nyanney, Richard Armah, Stephen Asamani, Daniel Akakpo, Issac Annor, Samuel Appiah and Emmanuel Armahon, were charged for abetment of crime.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Isaac Agbemehia, told the court that the accused persons are all blacksmiths at Bawjiase. On May 19, 2014, the police had a confirmation on intelligence that Daniel was ready to supply suspected robbery clients with locally manufactured guns at an amount of GHc1,800.00 each.

He said the police intelligence source entered into the chain to take delivery of the weapons on behalf of the robbery gang and Daniel was subsequently arrested in the course of the transaction.

The prosecution said Daniel led the police to his hideout at Bawjiase, where the other accused persons then manufacturing other farming implements were arrested.

Police Inspector Agbemehia said the workshop was searched and eight single barreled guns, as well as a number of butts, barrels and a drilling machine, were retrieved. Three double barreled guns were also recovered from his apartment.

He told the court that none of the accused persons were able to produce any trade license permitting them to even repair guns, let alone manufacture same.