Workers of private school face stealing charges

Tema, May 18 GNA - A Watchman and a Cleaner, who went to plead with the Headmistress of Parent Association School in Tema to withdraw a case involving the stealing of building materials in the school from the Police have been granted 20 million cedis bail by the Tema Circuit Court "A".

Moro Azuru and Richard Wutoh pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing and would reappear on May 29. They are to report to the Police fortnightly until the case is disposed of.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Adolphus Otchere told the Court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that in March 2004, the Headmistress detected that some iron rods meant for the construction of additional structures in the school had been stolen so she directed the school children to move the rest to her office but the children could not finish the job before the school broke off for the weekend.

He said those iron rods left and other materials worth 21.8 million were stolen from the site. When the Watchman, Cleaners and Labourers were questioned, they all said they knew nothing about the theft. Inspector Otchere said later a security man of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, who was on duty around the area, reported to the School Authorities that an LT bus came to the school and the building materials including Wawa boards and sizes of iron rods were packed into it and drove off.

He said Azuru and Wutoh approached one of the teachers to go and plead with the Headmistress to withdraw the matter from the Police so that they could pay for them.