Four in court fuel deal

A Cape Coast circuit court, presided over by Mr Evans Agbloyor, on Friday granted four people a total of 20 million cedis bail with surety each, for dishonestly receiving fuel, operating with an expired license and abetment of crime.

Thomas Edu Gyamfi, a trader, Ziblim Alhassan, filling station attendant, Rose Turkson and Victoria Acquah, both chop bar operators, were charged with abetment of crime.

They all pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on Thursday February 13. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Hope Azasoo, said that on January 29 this year, acting on a tip-off that some people were dealing in illegal fuel business at Yamoransa in the Central Region, a team from the 2nd Battalion of Infantry (2BN) in Takoradi, went to the Yamoransa junction for an operation and during a search in the area, they found three drums of diesel in Gyamfi's room, which he claimed ownership.

Gyamfi said he bought the fuel from tanker drivers at 15,000 cedis a gallon, and sold to the public at 16,000 cedis instead of the approved price of 17,500 cedis.

Alhassan was also arrested for selling petrol with an expired licence, while Rose and Victoria, were found with two drums each of diesel in their rooms.

The prosecutor said when the two women were questioned, Rose mentioned one Kwabena Gyata as the person who gave her the fuel to keep while Victoria on her part, said one Kofi Atta had given her the fuel for safe keeping.