Coconut seller jailed for possessing firearms

Kumasi, Sept. 14, GNA - A Kumasi circuit court on Wednesday sentenced a 20-year-old coconut seller at the Suame roundabout in Kumasi to two years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing and possessing firearms without authority.

Prince Osei pleaded guilty to the charges. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Regina Kesewaa told the court presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh that, on September 5,this year, Mr Gordon Nimako, a driver and complainant was driving his taxi from the Santasi roundabout, towards Patasi at about 0500 hours, when the accused stopped him.

She said immediately the driver stopped, the accused dashed into a nearby house, brought a large aluminium cooking pot and told the driver to take him to Suame to give the pot to a relative. Chief Inspector Kesewaa said, the driver, who became suspicious, drove the accused straight to the Suntreso Police Station at Sofo Line to hand him over to the police.

She said immediately the taxi stopped at the police station, the accused got down and took to his heels but was pursued by the police and arrested and during interrogation, a locally manufactured pistol and two live cartridges were found on him.

The court ordered the gun and cartridges to be confiscated to the state, while the pot be returned to its owner. 14 Sept. 05