The Techiman circuit court has remanded seven persons who were alleged to have robbed a mobile phone shop in the Techiman Municipality to reappear in court on February 9th 2007.
The alleged persons were Boateng Isaac 18, Ibrahim Shaibu 22, Yaw Anson Kyeremanteng 20, Prince Effah Boadu 20, Frank Kwame Fosu 19, Alhasan Banba 23 and Abena Ampomah 22. Three other suspects were also discharged following the prosecution withdrew charges against them for lack of evidence. These were Sakule Mohammed, Yaw Sarfo and Kwasi Opoku.
The prosecuting redrew the initial charges and substituted with new charges of conspiracy and stealing while Abena Ampomah was charged with abetment of crime. Their pleas of guilty were not taken.
Presenting the facts, Police Chief Inspector S. Y. Jebuni indicated that the complainant is the trader who deals with mobile phones and a resident of Techiman and all the accused persons live in Techiman.
He said on 19 Dec. 2006 about 7:30pm the accused persons entered the premises of the mobile phone shop and robbed them of the mobiles and money.
The accused persons opened fire to scare the passerby and intentionally shot at a security guard’s thigh who had wanted to prevent them from robbing the shop.
The prosecutor said, a good citizen rushed him to Holy family hospital, and he is still on admission, fearing that his leg will be amputated.
According to chief inspector Jebuni, the police launched an immediate investigations and upon a tip off one Abena Ampomah was arrested with 2 mobile phones, she mentioned Ibrahim Isaaku as her accomplice during intorogations.
He stressed that, Ibrahim was arrested at his hid out and during interrogation he mentioned other accused persons as their accomplices. Inspector Jebuni announced that during enquiries the police found four vehicles abandoned by the robbers with the registration numbers AS9241V, AS7719S, GT6620M, and GW1250W.
Mr. Jabuni revealed to the crowded court that. the police impounded the vehicles ON WHICH HE SAID ONE Akwasi frimpong Manso has reported that, robbers have robbed him off his car with registration number AS7719S, and identify Ibrahim among the gang who attacked him in Kumasi.
The police said, so far no one has identified those three cars. He observed that the accused persons are yet to be screened while docket was been sent to Attorney general’s office for advise.
In his submission, the defence council for Ibrahim Isaaku, Mr. K. Owusu Sekyere of Dente Chambers argued that, his client was trapped and misled by his peers and also Ibrahim is a Asthmatics patient, so be granted bail for medical attention.
The presiding judge Justice G. A. Kwasi Kumah indicated that while the police investigations is still on going it will be premature to admit them to bail, hence remanded in prison custody till February 9th 2007.
After the ruling, the seven accused persons broke out with tears amidst of wailing and heads shaking, while those discharged thronged to the street with wild jubilation.
