Crime & Punishment of Friday, 29 May 2015

Source: Daily Guide

Suspected cop robber bailed

Constable Samuel Asamoah, a police officer stationed at Kasoa, who attempted to rob a Nigerian student after he came out of the Prudential Bank with an amount of GH¢2,000 in his pocket, has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

The suspect and one Danso Ofori, a security man said to be his accomplice, were granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with three sureties, two to be justified by civil servants.

They were granted bail after their counsel, George Asamaney, told the court presided over by Justice Francis Obiri that the suspects would make themselves available for trial.

Counsel told the court that the suspects would not interfere with investigations and would present themselves for trial as and when needed by the court.

He said there were responsible persons ready to stand surety for the suspects and that they would ensure that the suspects were available for trial.

The suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and attempt to commit crime, but they denied the charges.

Their alleged accomplice, a military officer only known as Yeboah, who was nearly lynched by a mob after the failed robbery attempt, is a fugitive from justice and police are searching for him.

Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecuting officer, DSP Martin Acheampong, told the court that the complainant is Randy Aruvere, a student who lives at Kasoa, while the accused is a police officer stationed at Kasoa.

He said Ofori is a security man while Yeboah is a military officer, adding that they all live at Kasoa.

The prosecuting officer noted that the student on April 29, 2015, at about 11am, went to the Prudential Bank and cashed GH¢2,000.

After the bank transaction, he was walking home when occupants of a Daewoo Matiz cab with registration number GX 3599 13 signalled that he drew closer, to which he obliged. The suspects then pulled him into the car and said he was under arrest.

According to DSP Acheampong, the suspects ordered the student to put his hand into his pocket, and that sensing danger, the student shouted for help and people gathered at the scene.

The prosecutor stated that the soldier managed to escape while the two were arrested and sent to the Weija Police Station.

He observed that during interrogations the suspects denied the offence and that they were arraigned after police concluded investigations.