Three robbers jailed 200 years

Aflao, Nov. 11, GNA - A circuit court at Aflao on Monday jailed three armed robbers for 200 years. Kingsley John Okeke, Alias Ken, trader, a Nigerian, Harrison Komla Efiatukpey, alias Opana and Prosper Azaglo, alias Papa, unemployed had five years each for conspiracy and 60 years each for robbery. Azaglo had an additional five years for causing harm. The sentences would run concurrently.

Victor Setorwufia, an auto technician, who was in the dock with the three, was acquitted and discharged on the charge of robbing, for lack of evidence. They all pleaded not guilty.

Police Sergeant Stephen Wunie, told the court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri, that Okeke lived with Efiatukpe, a porter at Katanga in Lome while Azaglo, unemployed, lived at Aflao.

He said the complainant, a transport owner, was resident at Denu. Sgt Wunie said in January this year, the convicts, with others now on the run, hatched a plot to rob the complainant.

He said on January 14, Setorwufia driving a borrowed KIA bus, GT 2297 J, conveyed members of the group, who were masked and carried an AK 47 gun, knifes and machetes to the complainant's residence at about 0100 hours. Sgt Wunie said the convicts scaled the fence wall and attacked the complainant, who was sleeping in the compound.

He said Azaglo, with others, kept watch over him (complainant), while Okeke, Efiatukpe and others broke into his room and stole Ghc 9,800 Ghc and CFA 4 million.

Sgt Wunie said the criminals before escaping, assaulted and inflicted machete and knife wounds on the complainant and tied him up. He said at about 0130 hours the same night, Setorwufia, who was still at the steers of the KIA bus, was stopped by a police officer for a "lift". Sgt Wunie said the police officer spotted the convicts waiting along the road and demanded Setorwufia to stop the bus to enable him interrogate the bystanders. The prosecution said the criminals while rushing to board the bus, realized the presence of the policeman and fled. Sgt Wunie said Setorwufia also fled with the bus leaving the policeman behind.

He said when news about the robbery broke, the policeman traced the vehicle and investigations led to the arrest of Okeke and Efiatukpe in Togo. Sgt Wunie said a cell phone identified by the victim as his was found on Efiatukpe.

The prosecution said a blood-stained machete, an iron cutter, pair of military shorts, pair of hand gloves, face masks, a vehicle number plate, GR 6455 Y, and other items were found in the room of Azaglo at Aflao, following his arrest. Sgt Wunie said examination of personal cell phones of the convicts revealed they had been in contact.