Taekwando trainer remanded for stealing fire extinguishers

Accra, July 21, GNA - A taekwando trainer, who stole six fire extinguishers valued at 900,000 cedis, property of the Judicial Service, was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody pending sentence by the Accra Regional Tribunal.

Kobina Mensah, the trainer, pleaded guilty to stealing. Kofi Kyeremanteng, a trader, who was accused of purchasing the items, pleaded not guilty to dishonestly receiving and was admitted to a 10-million cedi bail with one surety.

Both Mensah and Kyeremanteng would reappear on July 27. Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Abavelim told the tribunal chaired by Mr Justice Frank Manu that that for sometime thieves had been stealing fire extinguishers fixed on the newly established Commercial Court building, and this heightened security alert at the Court.

He said at about at 1630 hours on July 11 when the offices had been locked and the security officer was going round the building, he spotted Mensah at the corner of a room on the first floor. The Prosecutor said the security officer became suspicious and, therefore, confronted him. When he searched a bag that Mensah was holding he found one of the court's fire extinguishers. The Prosecutor said the Security Officer raised the alarm and with the assistance of a witness in the case, Mensah was arrested and handed over to the Police.

ASP Abavelim said when the Police questioned Mensah, he admitted having stolen six fire extinguishers, estimated 900,000 cedis from the Commercial Court.

He said Mensah stated that he sold each of the extinguishers to Kyeremanteng at 150,000 cedis.

The Prosecutor said Mensah led the Police to Kyeremanteng's shop at Tudu but they did not meet him. Kyeremanteng later reported himself to the Police, where Mensah identified him as the person, who purchased the extinguishers. 21 July 05