Three before tribunal for threatening to burn policeman
Suspected currency traffickers before
tribunal
Three before tribunal for threatening to burn policeman
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 April 2000
Three persons, who allegedly beat up a Police constable and threatened to set him ablaze on Thursday appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra charged with conspiracy, assault and causing damage. The three had earlier beaten a taxi driver and attempted to burn his car, the tribunal was told.
Michael Ayamba, 28, a labourer, Kwaku Benasco, 20, a driver and Kwaku Senazah, 17, unemployed, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Senazah was remanded in prison custody while Ayamba and Benasco were granted 10 million cedis bail with one surety each to be justified. They will appear again on May nine.
The tribunal chaired by Mr. K. O. Bechem ordered that a warrant should be issued for the arrest of an accomplice, Ibrahim Oldman Yamamba, a driver, charged with the same offence.
Prosecuting Police Chief Inspector Alice Takyiwaa said the complainant is a taxi driver who lives together with the accused persons at Nungua in Accra.
Chief Inspector Takyiwaa said at about 14:30 hours on February 15, the taxi driver was driving some passengers to Nungua Zongo when he was stopped half-way by Yamamba, Ayamba, Benasco and Senazah, who were then a filling portion of the road with sand.
She said the accused persons demanded money from the driver, but he told them that he did not have any and drove away.
Chief Inspector Takyiwaa said when the driver was returning the accused persons blocked the road saying they would not let him pass unless he gave them money.
She said while the complainant was trying to pass over cement blocks used to impede his movement, one of the accused persons dipped his hand into the driver's pocket and attempted to pick his money.
The prosecutor said the situation degenerated into a misunderstanding between the driver and the accused persons pounced on him and beat him severely. They also stoned the car and threatened to burn it. She said the complainant drove to the police station and made a report.
Constable Fred K. Bimpong was detailed to invite them to the Police station, but Yamba, Ayamba, Benasco and Senazah attacked him and poured petrol on him and threatened to set him ablaze. Members of the public rescued the Constable and arrested the accused persons.
GRi../
Suspected currency traffickers
before tribunal
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 April 2000
A Community Tribunal in Accra on Thursday granted five million cedis bail each to 30 foreigners and five Ghanaians suspected to be trafficking in various currencies at the black market. They are to report to the Police every Monday. All 35 pleaded not guilty.
The aliens were also charged with not possessing the necessary immigration documents. They had claimed to be Ghanaians but could not to prove their citizenship or show their residential addresses.
The tribunal, presided over by Mrs. Ivy Heward-Mills, heard that the 35 accused persons were arrested by the Police Striking Force at Tudu and Cowlane, both located in the central business district of Accra, in an operation to flush out black marketing and trafficking in foreign currency.
According to Chief Inspector Jambiedu Abubakar of the Striking Force, on the day of the arrest, various currency notes and calculators were found on them. The case was adjourned to 4 May.
GRi../