Eight in court for robbery

Eight persons on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court, for conspiracy to commit crime, attempting to commit crime, robbery and abetment of crime.

Isaac Kwasi Boadi, Kwame Anokye, Amos Bortey Borketey, Isaac Addo Mensah, Yaw Richard, Sylvester Otwe, and Kwasi Bentum were charged for conspiracy to commit crime, attempt to commit crime and robbery while Mary Komabu the eight accused person was charged with abetment of crime.

They were said to have conspired, attempted and robbed Melcom Company of two big flat screen television sets worth GH? 5, 800 and unspecified brand new mobile phones.

The accused persons were all remanded into police custody to reappear on January 26.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Moses Atibilla told the court that the complainants in this case are managers of companies that are dealing in various electrical appliances and general commodities.

He said Isaac, Kwame, Amos, Isaac, Yaw, Sylvester, Kwasi, together with four others now at large are notorious armed robbers who are terrorizing law abiding citizens within Madina, Weija, Kasoa and Tema metropolis.

He said on December 9, 2014, the seven accused persons and four others now at large attacked Melcom Company Stores at Madina at about 01:58 hours, shot and killed the security officer one Emmanuel Torsu and broke into the store.

The prosecution said they managed to rob the items and bolted. On January 6, 2015 the Accra Regional Police Command gathered intelligence that the accused persons and four others now at large had armed themselves with pistols and vehicles to rob at Weija and Abeka-Lapaz.

He told the court that a team of Policemen were detailed to intercept and counter their intended purpose.

ACP Atibilla said the team proceeded to Weija where they spotted Isaac, including Ike Ofori and Yaw Ampomah now deceased and two others now at large on board a Ford Bus heading towards Kasoa.

He said the Police followed them but the accused persons noticed them and quickly made a U-turn towards Accra. The Police followed them and when they got to Bortiano Junction, they started shooting at the Police and a bullet hit one Constable Prince Charles Akata.

The Police returned fire and also hit Ike Ofori and Yaw Ampomah whilst the rest managed to escape with gunshot wounds.

Constable Prince Charles Akata, Ike Ofori and Yaw Ampomah were rushed to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, but were pronounced dead on arrival.

He said the team proceeded to Abeka-Lapaz and managed to arrest Kwame, Amos, Isaac, Yaw and Sylvester.

ACP Atibilla said the police then made a media publication to the public to assist arrest anybody found with gunshot wounds trying to seek medical treatment.

He told the court that during investigations, it came to light that Mary was the person who normally sponsors the armed robbers financially and when they return, the booty is sold to her and she was arrested.

The Regional Police Command had information that Isaac who had gunshot wounds was being assisted by his wife, Evelyn Dorson to get herbal treatment from one Feyi Stephen at a village called Asuboi.

The prosecution said, however, Police had information that Isaac, after taking first aid from Feyi, escaped with his wife to a village called Kwashie near Asamankese. Police proceeded to the village and arrested him together with his wife.