Convicted prisoner before tribunal

Kumasi (Ashanti), 3^rd June 99 -

Ibrahim Alhaji, also known as Issah, a mechanic, on Tuesday appeared before a Kumasi Circuit Tribunal on two counts of conspiracy to steal and stealing a chevrolet sports van valued at 17 million cedis belonging to Mr Felix Apau Berko at Effiduasi in Ashanti.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent back to the Tarkwa prisons where he is serving a year's sentence.

Kwaku Mensah, a cocoa farmer, jointly charged with Ibrahim is on the run.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Lawrence Oppong told the tribunal, chaired by Mr Joseph A. Abanga, that sometime in 1997, Mr Berko returned from the United States with an unregistered chevrolet sports van and left it in the care of his brother, Nana Kwaku Afoakwah-Duah at Effiduasi.

He said on October 16 in the same year, the accused approached Mr Berko that one Ali Ibrahim, head of the Zongo community at Agona in Ashanti, had expressed interest in the vehicle and, after bargaining, Mr Berko agreed to sell the vehicle to Ali for 17 million cedis.

DSP Oppong said Ali pleaded with Mr Berko to give him sometime to pay up.

The prosecutor said a week later, without the knowledge of Ali, the accused informed Mr Berko that Ali hadasked him (accused) to bring the vehicle to Ali at Agona and it was released to the accused by Nana Afoakwah-Duah.

Since then nothing had been paid in respect of the vehicle. DSP Oppong said a report was made to the police and investigations led to the arrest of the accused then serving a prison term at Tarkwa for another offence.

The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, June 23.

GRi…/