Unemployed jailed for possessing firearms

The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 20-year old unemployed man to five years imprisonment in hard labour for possessing locally manufactured pistols without authority.

The convict, Charles Frimpong, pleaded guilty.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the Court, presided over by Mr Justice Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew, that the complainants, are members of the neighbourhood Watchdog Committee at Asankra-Breman in the Amenfi West District.

He said between January 23 and 26 this year, the Watchdog Committee were on their usual patrols within the Asankra-Breman Township when they saw Salifu Alale, who is currently at large, holding a bag.

The Prosecutor said when Salifu saw the members of the Committee heading towards his direction; he abandoned the bag and fled into the bush.

He said five locally manufactured pistols were retrieved from the bag after a search.

Inspector Amponsah said upon a tip-off, Charles Frimpong was arrested by the police in connection with the firearms, and upon interrogation, he admitted being the owner of the pistols and had given them to Salifu Alela for safekeeping.

The convict was prosecuted and sentenced accordingly.