Tema, Aug 30, GNA - The Tema Regional Police Command has appealed to the public to volunteer information to the Police on one Tulebani who allegedly connived with others to set a vessel at blaze at the shores of Tema New Town.

The said Tulebani is said to have connived with Ashitey Armah, a 42-year-old fisherman, Seth Amegadzi, a 46-year-old stevedorer, Gilbert Kpodovia, a 37-year-old employee of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and 46-year-old Emmanuel Boi Abbey, a seaman, to allegedly commit the crime.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Augustine Gyening, Tema Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that Armah, Amegadzi, Kpodovia and Abbey had been granted bail in the sum of GH¢15,000 with two sureties each, by the Ashaiman Circuit Court.

ACP Gyening said the accused persons pleaded not guilty to three counts of stealing, unlawful entry and causing damage, and would re-appear in court on September 7.

He said on August 13, this year, owners of the vessel, MT Seven Seas, reported to the Tema New Town Police that another vessel had run into their vessel.

He stated that according to the owners, GPHA towed the vessel to the Tema New Town seashore, to prevent it from sinking within the navigational entrance and the anchorage of the Port.

The Regional Police Commander indicated that his outfit got information that some Youth of the area numbering about 100, had gone on board the vessel and were looting.

He said Nii Adjei Kraku the Second, Tema Mantse, who was informed of the situation, detailed the chief fisherman to accompany the Police to the vessel to convince them to desist from the act.

ACP Gyening said some of the Youth heeded the advice, while others including the suspects, continued with their illegal activities.

He said at about 19:45pm, on August 14, the youth on board the vessel set it ablaze, and investigations by the Police pointed to the suspects, all residents of Tema New Town, as the culprits.

Meanwhile, the owners of the vessel have issued a Writ of Summons to the owners of MV Hanjin Saleno (the vessel that ran into MT Seven Seas) and Hull Blyth Ghana Limited for some claims.

A copy of the Writ dated August 19, 2010, issued at the Tema High Court by Kwasi Blay and Associates, Solicitors for MT Seven Seas, stated the claims as a replacement value of MT Seven Seas as proved and assessed subject to tax.

Other claims included the payment of the value of the 2000 tons of crude oil on the vessel, cost and legal fees and any other reliefs as the court may deem fit.