Four robbery suspects remanded

Sekondi, June 9, GNA- A Sekondi high court has remanded four suspected armed robbers into prison custody for robbery. They pleaded not guilty to all counts of attempted robbery, robbery, assault and use of offensive weapons.

They are Issakah Bandey, 19, a Fulani herdsman, Mohammed Issa, 29, a trader, Abdulai Karim, 24 and Gariba Amadu, 38 both herdsmen. Prosecuting, Madam Patience Klinogo, Principal State Attorney, told the court presided over by Justice Robin Batu, that on July 19, 2007, at about 2030 hours, the accused persons armed with short guns and locally manufactured pistols mounted a road-block, using firewood and logs at a spot near the Sahoma hills along the Bibiani-Abrofem road. She said the accused attacked motorists and pedestrians on various vehicles including a 207 bus with registration number AS 7277 Y, a KIA with number WR 1178 N and an Opel saloon car with number GW 3833 W and took away several items, including mobile phones, cash both local and foreign and wrist watches.

Three of the victims sustained gun shot wounds and were rushed to the Bibiani government hospital, where they were admitted for treatment. Madam Klinogo said one of he victims however died a few weeks after the incident.

She said security personnel of the Central African Gold Mines in Bibiani were deployed to the scene but the gang disappeared before they got there.

The prosecutor said at about 01.00 hours the following day, Issakah and Gariba were arrested in the Bibiani township, and when they were searched, five mobile phones, a wrist watch and cash of GH¢ 4,225 million and 9,000 CFA francs were found on them. They were later identified by some of the victims. Madam Klinogo said five days after their arrest; Gariba and Issaca led the Police to a hideout in Kumasi, where they pointed out Mohammed and Addulai as their accomplices.