Ghanaian Times

The Ghanaian Times reports on its front page that an Accra Circcuit Tribunal yesterday refused bail to 14 suspects, including tow police constables, who are charged with the theft of eight gold bars worth 2.4 billion cedis.

The paper says the gold bars, belonging to Amansie Resources, a mining company in Ashanti, were stolen when a gang of armed men intercepted the vehicle conveying the metals to Accra on February 16, this year.

The suspects are named as: Philip Asamoa, Teddy Amevor, Emmanuel Wilson, Alexander Kwabena Biney

And Philip Kudaya, all drivers of West Coast Allied Services, a private security services company. Others are: Jonathan Otumfuor Berger, a private investigator, Godfred Amoako, a security guard, Eric Boateng, assistant supervisor, Oscar Nkrumah and Francis Mensah. The rest are: Police Constables J.K. Mensah and Alex Amoako Acheampong, Alexander Inglis, operations manager and Joseph Anane Mensah, also known as 'Alhaji', a businessman. They have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Graphic says the defence counsel pleaded unsuccessfuly for bail when the suspects made their second appearance before the tribunal yesterday. The paper quotes the chairperson of the tribunal, Mrs Elizabeth Anderson-Yeboah, as saying the accused could not be granted bail because the law does not allow bail for robbery suspects. Secondly, the case is still being investigated by the police. The Graphic reports that on February 6, this year, while three vehicles belonging to West Coast Allied Services were carrying gold bars worth 2.4 billion cedis from the Amansie Resources in Ashanti to Accra, they were attacked by a group of armed men in police and military uniforms. The armed men allegedly took away eight boxes of unrefined gold bars in a Nissan Patrol vehicle belonging to the Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) and a Toyota pick-up. The paper quotes the prosecution as telling the court that 7 million cedis and 300 dollars belonging to Inglis (13th Accused), were also stolen.

In another front page story, the Times says Asanteman is today observing the 40th day of the death of Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene-elect will sit in state at the Manhyia Palace to observe the performance of the rites. The Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, will also sit in state, reports the paper. The Times says some "Amanhene" and various chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council will pay homage, while traditional rites will be performed in camera at the Palace. This will be followed at a later date by the swearing of another "Great Oath" of allegiance to Asanteman by Otumfuo Osei Tutu, and installation and enstoolment procedures. After the observance, Otumfuo Osei Tutu will be confined for 40 days and taken through customary procedures to understand and appreciate the structures and organisation of the Manhyia Palace before he ascends the Golden Stool.