Watchman's son on trial over computer theft

Asamankese, (E/R) April 26, GNA - George Koranteng, 22, who, in the company of other accomplices broke into the computer laboratory of St Paul's Community Secondary School at Akyem Asafo and stole three computers and accessories valued at 30 million cedis has been convicted by the Asamankese Circuit Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty on the charge of conspiracy to commit crime but not guilty to unlawful entry and stealing and the presiding judge, Mr Kofi Akrowiah, deferred sentence until the end of the final trial. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Ben Nyonator, said on December 16, 2002, the accused and five others entered the computer laboratory of the school and stole three computers and accessories, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system and printers.

He said a report was made to the police and the night watchman was arrested but he denied the offence.

A docket on the case was referred to the Attorney General's Office for advice and on February 17, last year, a letter authorizing the police to prosecute the watchman was received.

He said the watchman, however, died in the course of prosecution. The prosecutor said on October 8, last year, the Police had information that the son of the late watchman, Koranteng, knew something about the theft and the police had been searching for him.

Chief Inspector Nyonator said investigations led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Ofori Clement, who had since been jailed. He said Koranteng was arrested while driving a taxi and investigation was on-going to apprehend the four other suspects.