Court remands mason for possession of arms

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded Salifu Zakari, a mason, in police custody for allegedly possessing of narcotic drug, and the possession of arms and ammunitions.

The accused person pleaded not guilty and would reappear on August 10.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Adjei told the Court that the complainants in the case are police and military personnel.

He said on July 27, at about 1300 hours, the accused person was seen at Apollonia near Ashiaman with a bag.

He said his movement looked suspicious to the team of security personnel and so they ordered him to stop for questioning.

The prosecution said the accused person attempted to run away but was arrested and a search conducted into the bag revealed quantities of leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, an automatic calibre 4.44mm pistol with seven pieces of ammunition in its magazine.

ASP Adjei said a further search revealed three empty shells of 4.0mm ammunitions and two rolling papers used to wrap the marijuana before smoking.

When questioned how he came by the items, the accused person refused to disclose his source.