Ex-Dce, 2 Others Reappear in Court Over Stealing Case

The former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Ben Kobena Musah Binney, and two others charged with conspiracy to steal and stealing, last Tuesday, January 8, re-appeared before the Cape Coast Circuit Tribunal chaired by Nana Bafuor Adjei.

The case was adjourned to Wednesday, January 16. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Augustine Amonoo told the tribunal that the complainant in the case was the Regional Information Officer (RIO) of the Information Services Department (ISD) in Cape Coast.

The other two are MacDonald Amonoo and Ekow Spio, chairman and secretary respectively of the former NDC regime, and the Ex-DCE Ben Kobina Musah Biney, all of the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency and district respectively.

Chief Inspector Amonoo stated that on May 4, 1999, at the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Assembly (AEEDA), the third accused, Musah Biney who was then the DCE requested for an Information Services Department van to serve the area.

The prosecution further stated that on the strength of the request, the Regional Information Officer (RIO) in August 1999 released one of the department's broken down vans with registration No. GV. 6584 C to the AEEDA.

On receipt of the vehicle, the 3rd accused (DCE) was said to have allegedly told the Assembly that he had purchased a van for the NDC party at ?6 million.

As a result, the van was towed to Ajumako, the headquarters of the district and later brought down to Mankessim where it was handed over to a mechanic for repairs.

On January 26, last year, the complainant wrote to the 3rd accused to know the state of the released Information Van but the 3rd accused did not respond to the letter.

Then on January 8, 2002, at about 9.30 am, the 1st and 2nd accused persons having agreed, went to Mankessim and removed three of the tyres from the van and took them away.

The prosecutor said the mechanic in whose custody the van was entrusted reported the matter to the 3rd accused (Musah Biney) but he kept silent over the issue.

The theft of the tyres came to the knowledge of the complainant who made a report to the police and the 1st accused was arrested and searched but only one worn-out-tyre was found at his residence at Enyan Abaasa.

The prosecution further stated that during intensive investigations the 1st accused produced 2 rim 14 outer-tyres but were found not to be "Land Rover" tyres which resulted in his arrest and his two other accomplices with the DCE being charged with abetment of crime.

They have all been granted bail in the sum of ?1 million each with a surety.