Butcher before tribunal for robbery

A butcher who, together with seven others, broke into the offices of Integrated Company Limited at Tesano in Accra and made away with two safes containing large sums of foreign and local currencies, was on Thursday arraigned before a Circuit Tribunal in Accra charged with stealing.

Mallam Ibrahim and his accomplices, identified only as Samuel, Owuraku, Ibrahim, Jonathan, Baby Boi, Lartey and Emmanuel, who are all at large, took away the safes containing 65,000 dollars, 3,500 pounds, four million cedis and two Ghanaian passports.

Ibrahim, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, unlawful entry and stealing, was remanded in prison custody to reappear on March 8. The tribunal chaired by Mr Ziblim Imoru issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the other suspects.

The Tribunal heard that a watchman of the Director of the company, Mr Sydney Yahayah Laryea, reported that thieves had invaded the company's premises and made away with two safes.

According to the prosecutor, the police mounted surveillance on a group of people, including the accused persons who were mentioned as prime suspects, after discovering that an Opel Kadett car used in carrying the safes away was being driven in town with some of the accused persons on board.

The prosecution said on January 21, an Opel Kadett car belonging to Ibrahim was impounded and he was arrested at a hotel at Mamprobi.

Investigation showed that Ibrahim, together with Samuel, Ibrahim and Owuraku had bought two cars - a Toyota Corolla and Opel Kadett - a day after the crime was committed. These cars have been registered in the name of Ibrahim's father.

Ibrahim admitted that the vehicles were bought with stolen money but not what was allegedly stolen from the complainant who is also the National Treasurer of the NDC. He added that he never took part in stealing Mr. Laryea's money.