Accra Polytechnic student before court for robbery

Cape Coast, June 8, GNA - A circuit court in Cape Coast, on Tuesday remanded into prison custody a student of Accra Polytechnic, Samuel Sarpong alias Ebenezer Asare, who allegedly robbed a cabbie of his taxi cab at knife point two years ago.

The student, who was charged for robbery and forgery, pleaded not guilty and would appear in court on Tuesday, June 21.

Mr. Vincent Nyinaku, Assistant State Attorney, told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Asare Nyarko that in June 2009, the accused hired a taxi being driven by Mr. Tongo in Accra to convey him (accused) to Cape Coast for GHC 70.

The Assistant State Attorney said that on reaching Cape Coast at about 2300 hours, the accused asked the victim to continue to Effutu near Cape Coast so that he could meet his friend.

Mr Nyinaku said when the driver and the student reached the outskirt of Cape Coast, the student asked the driver to stop his vehicle to enable him to urinate.

The prosecution said immediately the victim stopped the vehicle, the accused allegedly drew a knife and asked him (driver) to hand over the car key and the money he had on him amidst threats.

Mr Nyinaku told the court that the victim, resisted but the accused managed to push him out of the car and drove the vehicle towards the Effutu Township.

The prosecution said Mr Tongo reported the case to the Police and two weeks after the incident, the accused approached a sprayer at Effutu for the re-spraying of the vehicle.

Mr Nyinaku said the sprayer became suspicious when he noticed that the vehicle had no number plates, insurance sticker and side address and reported the matter to the Police.

The prosecution said that on July 1 2009, at about 1600 hours, the accused was arrested by the sprayer with support from some people when he (accused) went to the shop to ascertain progress of work on the vehicle.

Mr Nyinaku told the court that Sarpong was granted bail based on a receipt he showed to the Police indicating that he bought the vehicle from Yaw Eric.

The prosecution said upon further investigations, the Police found out that the receipt was forged by the accused, and Dr. Koranchie, then personnel of the 37 Military Hospital, also claimed ownership of the taxi cab.