Robbers cannot get Lawyers to defend them

Accra, March 10, GNA - The trial of six persons charged with conspiracy and robbery cannot proceed because most of the accused have not been able to secure Lawyers to defend them.

Mr Augustines Obuor, an Assistant State Attorney, noted that though the State was ready for the trial, the case had been adjourned five times because most the accused persons were not represented. According to him, five of the six accused persons did not have counsel and the complainant had been travelling from Tema any time the case was to be heard.

He, therefore, pleaded with the court to give them a firm date for hearing.

The six persons were alleged to have robbed a businesswoman at gunpoint at her residence at Lashibi four years ago and made away with 35 million cedis and personal effects.

When the case was called, Tetteh Dekpey, one the accused persons, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and robbery but his accomplices Alfred Adjei; Isaac Thompson, aka Paapa; Wisdom Kworshie Akpekpe; Kwame Akuffo and Dela Anyiba denied the offence.

Frank Tetteh, alias T.T., a driver, is on the run.

The Court remanded them to reappear on March 17 and said it would take Dekpey explanation on the next adjourned date. Prosecuting, Mr Obuor told the Court that on May 5, 2002, Ms Millicent Freeman, the complainant, who lives at Lashibi was attacked by the accused persons.

According to Mr Obuor, the accused persons, who were led by a resident, entered the complainant's bedroom at about 0130 hours and ordered her to surrender all her money else they would kill her son. The Assistant State Attorney said the complainant, who was scared, showed them where her money was.

The accused persons took away 35 million cedis, jewellery, money counting machine, sound systems, a video deck all valued at 60 million cedis.

The following day, the complainant reported the matter to the Police who commenced investigation. Police investigations disclosed that Akpekpe, who was a former worker of the complainant, led the robbers to the complainant's house. Dekpey, who was picked up by the Police led them to arrest the other accused persons. The Prosecutor said the accused persons in their respective statements confessed to the crime. 10 March 06