Mothers of suspected robbers remanded

The mothers of two suspected robbers were arraigned at an Accra Circuit Tribunal on Thursday charged with abetment of crime.

Elizabeth Vanderpuye, trader, and Cecilia Mensah Binney, chop-barkeeper, pleaded not guilty.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr Ziblim Moru, remanded them in police custody and ordered further investigations.

They will both reappear on Thursday, February 15. Chief Inspector Edward Antwi said the two suspects are the mothers of Emmanuel Vanderpuye and Robert Lamptey who are wanted for a series of armed robberies, including the recent ones at three forex bureaux and a house at Tesano in Accra.

Chief Inspector Antwi said the two, who are on the run, are believed to be hiding at Dansoman, Chorkor, Mamprobi and Korle Gonno in Accra.

According to the prosecutor, investigations showed that the two mothers approved of their children's criminal activities because booties are sent to them for safekeeping.

For example, investigations showed that Elizabeth accepted for safekeeping monies stolen by her son Emmanuel, the prosecution said.

Chief Inspector Antwi said Emmanuel later collected the money and purchased a Nissan Urvan Bus and a Nissan Sunny saloon car, which he registered in his mother's name to prevent her from exposing their activities.

The prosecution said that, on her part, Cecilia, after receiving her son's share of the money, took him to her sister-in-law at Sekondi and asked her to procure travelling documents for him to travel outside the country.

The accused admitted the offence.