Court remands four for possessing firearm

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded four persons for alleged possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition without lawful excuse.

The accused persons, whose plea were not taken, would reappear on February 29.

They are Umaru Satar, businessman, Suleman Alhassan, electrician, Frank Badu, driver, and Ibrahim Hamidu, an illegal miner.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Isaac Agbemehia told the court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, that the complainant in the case was a Police Commander at Zongo Zone ‘B’ District in Kumasi.

He said Umara is a Burkinabe while Alhassan is a Malian and Ibrahim resides at Asuoyeboah, a suburb of Kumasi.

He said on December 11, last year, the complainant received information that Alhassan and Frank had in their possession arms and ammunitions, which they intended to use for a robbery expedition at Akwatia Line in Kumasi, Manso-Nkwanta and its environs .

The prosecution said the police proceeded to a drinking spot near S.O Frimpong Transport Terminal at Akwatia Line and arrested Alhassan and Frank.

He said when the police conducted a search on the two, they retrieved a packet of 9mm ammunition with 50 rounds on it from Ibrahim.

When interrogated, Ibrahim informed the police that it was Alhassan who sold the ammunitions to him at a cost of GH? 600.00.

Alhassan, when interrogated, admitted the offence and mentioned that it was Umaru who sold the ammunitions to him and has a quantity of arms in his custody.

Chief Inspector Agbemehia said after the arrest Alhassan led the police to the house of Umaru at Alabar and he was arrested.

When a search was conducted in his room, the police retrieved 11 AK47 rifles, nine G3 rifles, one LMG, four firing pins, one cocking handle, 1,653 G3 ammunition, 6080 AK 47 ammunition, 1570 pistol ammunition and one AA cartridge.

He said investigation was extended to the house of Ibrahim at Bosore, Kumasi, where a search in his room revealed 77 rounds of AK47 ammunitions.

The police, in collaboration with the Small Arms Office, conducted a critical search on the source of the weapon and the result revealed that five of the AK47 were official weapons from the Ivorian Security Agencies.