Cop Killer Robbers On Trial

Prosecution in the trial of the seven out of the gang of robbers who exchanged fire with a team of police officers at Weija in Accra resulting in the death of Constable Prince Charles Akata say they are gathering witnesses to commence the case.

According to the prosecutor, ACP Moses Atibilla, the prosecution is not yet ready to start the case because its 'star witness' who travelled had just arrived.

He said it would not be right to start the trial without the investigator in the case and accordingly prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the prosecution gather its witnesses.

The accused persons are Issac Kwasi Boadi aka K.K., unemployed; Kwame Anokye aka Tagor, driver's mate; Amos Bortey Borketey, driver; Isaac Addo Mensah aka Almera; Yaw Richard aka Opuni, driver; Sylvester Otwe, driver's mate and Kwasi Bentum, farmer.

They are facing a three count charge of conspiracy, robbery and attempted robbery each.

All seven accused persons are said to have on December 9, 2014 at Madina, a suburb of Accra, robbed Melcom Company of two big flat screen television sets valued at GH¢5,800 and unspecified brand of new mobile phones whose value was yet to be known.

The accused persons, according to the prosecutor, ACP Atibilla, on December 6, 2014 at Weija attempted to rob contrary to Section 18 (1) & 149 of ACT 29/60.

Also before the court were Mary Komabu aka New Town Madam, Feyi Stephen and Evelyn Dorson.

In the case of New Town Madam, the police officer said that between the months of December 2014 and January 2015 in Tema she aided and abetted the seven robbers to rob.

However, at the sitting yesterday, the court noted that Evelyn Dorson, an accused person in the case, was pregnant.

In opposing the bail, ACP Atibilla called for a medical examination of the accused person before granting bail, a position the trial judge rejected.

The court presided over by Francis Obiri granted Dorson bail in the sum of GH¢ 20,000 with three sureties, two to be public servants.

Sitting continues on February 2, 2015.
The facts are that the complainants in this case are managers of companies that deal in various electrical appliances and general commodities while the accused persons and four others now at large are notorious armed robbers who are terrorising law abiding citizens within Madina, Weija, Kasoa and Tema metropolis.

ACP Atibilla stated that on December 9, 2014 at about 1:58am the accused personsand the four others now at large attacked Melcom Company Stores at Madina, shot and killed the security officer, one Emmanuel Torsu, and broke into the store.

He said they managed to rob the aforementioned items and bolted, adding that on January 6, 2015 the Accra Regional Police Command gathered intelligence that the accused persons and the other four on the run had armed themselves with pistols and vehicles to rob at Weija and Abeka-Lapaz, adding that as result a team of policemen were detailed to intercept and counter their intended operation.

The prosecutor indicated that the team proceeded to Weija where they spotted K.K., Ike Ofori and Yaw Ampomah, now deceased, and two others now at large on board a Ford Bus heading towards Kasoa.

He said the police followed them gradually but the accused persons noticed them and quickly made a u-turn towards Accra. He said the police followed them and when they got to Bortiano junction, they started shooting at the police and a bullet hit Constable Prince Charles Akata.

ACP Atibilla stated that the police returned fire and also hit Ofori and Ampomah whilst the rest managed to escape with gunshot wounds. Constable Prince Charles Akata, Ofori and Ampomah were rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.

He further told the court that the team proceeded to Abeka-Lapaz and arrested Tagor, Borketey, Almera, Opuni, Otwe and Bentum.

ACP Atibilla indicated that during investigations, it came to light that New Town Madam was the person who normally sponsored the armed robbers financially and whenever they returned, she sold their booty; hence, her arrest for abetment.

The prosecutor said the Regional Police Command had information that K.K., who had gunshot wounds, was being assisted by his wife Dorson to get herbal treatment from one Stephen at Asuboi.

He said that the police had information that K.K., after taking first aid from Stephen, escaped with Dorson to a village called Kwashie near Asamankese, where they were later arrested.

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By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson