Watchman and labourer remanded in custody for stealing

machines.

Tema, Feb. 14, GNA -- A night watchman who stole sewing machines and sold them to a labourer were on Friday remanded in custody by the Tema circuit court "B".

Sule Yusif and Latiff Kassim, who pleaded not guilty will reappear on February 26, 2004.

Prosecuting, Inspector Martey told the court, presided over by Mr Stephen Teye that on January 7, 2004, at about 11 p.m. an employee of Stable Souvenir Limited, spotted a taxi cab with registration number GW 9058 R loaded with six boxes of sewing machines, with Sule on board leaving the company's yard.

He said the employee who suspected that the items were from the company's warehouse, reported the case to the Tema Police Buffalo Unit and on January 8, 2004, the taxi cab was arrested.

The prosecution said the driver led the police to arrest Latiff, who received the machines from Sule.

He said Latiff in his cautioned statement explained that he received the six sewing machines from Sule and gave them to his sister Amina who is now on the run.

On January 14, 2004, Sule was arrested at his hideout and when he was interrogated, he stated that it was a friend who gave the machines to him on January 6, at about 10 p.m. to sell at a price of 150,000 cedis per box and sold some to Latiff who gave him 410,000 cedis, leaving a balance of 500,000 cedis.

Inspector Matey said Sule could not lead the police to arrest the mentioned friend, adding that Sule escaped from the charge office but was re-arrested about 10 meters away.