Kumasi, Feb. 24, GNA - Six auto-mechanics standing trial at a Kumasi Circuit Court for alleged robbery have been remanded. Owura Poku, Samuel Kwarteng, Charles Addo, Isaac Obeng, Kwadwo Aboagye and Kofi Peprah, all denied the offence and would re-appear on Wednesday, March 2.

Police Inspector Philip Yao Bebli told the court presided over by Mr Justice Richard Mac Kogyapwah that the accused operated at a garage at Atwima-Koforidua, near Kumasi.

The complainant, Ernest Opoku, is a taxi cab driver. On Friday, February 11, at about 1900 hours, two young men engaged his services to carry them in his KIA Pride taxi to Kodie in the Afigya-Kwabre District. Mid-way through the journey they pulled a locally manufactured pistol and ordered him to surrender the ignition key, which he did to avoid being harmed.

The prosecution said the robbers threw him out and sped off. Opoku made a formal report to the police and the stolen car was later traced to the garage of the accused where the battery, number plate, seat covers, insurance and DVLA stickers had been removed. The ignition key was also found in the ignition hole. Police Inspector Bebli said the six were therefore arrested and in thei= r caution statement, said they had no knowledge about who parked the vehicle there. Counsel for the accused, Mr Francis Coffie, told the court that the facts did not support the charge.