Cabbie Before Court for Robbing Expatriates

A taxi driver, Kennedy Kumi, who robbed two Dutch nationals and threatened to kill them, was on Monday arraigned before a Sunyani Community Tribunal.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted a two million-cedi bail with two sureties to reappear on Thursday July 19.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr Charles Adjei Wilson heard that on July 10, the complainants, Mr Maurice Van Stavern and Mr Sjoerd Weikamp who work at the Sunyani Catholic Diocese Pharmacy, hired Kumi's taxi to two entertainment spots.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Kingsley Baafi said the accused tried to introduce two young ladies to the two men but they declined.

The next day, Maurice and Sjoerd asked the accused to drive them to their residence at Ohene Djan Area, near Abesim.

When they were about to reach the house, Kusi demanded 70,000 cedis as fare but the complainants offered 30,000 cedis, which he rejected.

Chief Inspector Baafi said Sjoerd paid 30,000 cedis and got down from the car but Kumi drove off with Maurice and threatened to kill them.

Maurice fell from the speeding car and the accused stopped but snatched more than 170,000 cedis and a cap from him.

A report was made to the police and the accused was arrested wearing the cap. When he was searched, 193,450 cedis was found on him.