Ten years in hard labour for possessing empty pistol

The Takoradi Circuit Court on Thursday sentenced Adongo Atta, a Khebab seller, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for possessing firearms without lawful excuse.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Chief Inspector Alice Parker-Wilson said sometime in February 2010, the accused was arrested during an investigation into a theft case.

She said when his room was searched, a locally manufactured pistol without cartridges was found concealed in his travelling bag.

Chief Inspector Parker-Wilson said the accused was questioned how he came by the pistol but he said it belonged to one Ania a brother of his who resided in the Upper East Region.

She said a witness in the case disclosed to the Police that the pistol belonged to the accused who was charged after further investigations.**