By Gifty Amofa
Accra, Dec. 7, GNA – The Accra Circuit Court Eleven, one of the courts trying the six persons including five police officers accused of being involved in an attempted bullion Van robbery, has discharged them.
This followed prosecution’s decision to withdraw the matter with the reason that police were having challenges in getting witnesses’ support to continue with the trial.
Led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sylvester Asare (DSP), he told the Court that prosecution would come back at the appropriate time.
They are: General Constables Yaro Afisu Ibrahim, Albert Ofosu, also known as “Cypher,” Richard Boadu popularly known as “Osor,” Rabiu Jambedu, Nelson Tetteh and Badu Zakari, all police recruits as well as Baba Zakari, alias Rasta, a civilian mechanic.
DSP Asare had earlier told the Court presided over by Mrs Patricia Amponsah that General Constables: Yaro, Fosu, Boadu, Rabiu and Tettey were recruit mates and friends whilst Zakaria was a motor mechanic.
In 2021, Police recorded a series of bullion vans and street robberies within the Greater Accra region and mounted surveillance, Prosecution said.
On February 22, 2022, upon a tip-off that armed men had attacked a bullion van with registration number GN 424-14 at North Kaneshie, investigation begun which led to the arrest of Constable Reindolph Gyimah Ansah alias Pablo and Lance Corporal Stephen Nyame [both deceased].
Further investigation led to the arrest of the accused persons.
He said the Constables, including the deceased officers after their basic training were posted to the National SWAT Unit, Police Headquarters, whilst Tettey was posted to the Rapid Deployment Force [RDF], Wa.
The Court heard that Yaro, Fosu, Rabiu and Tettey when posted to their respective Units underwent various tactical and specialized weapon training to equip them for the function of their Units which included escort and protection of Bullion Vans.
Further investigation had it that in February 2022, accused persons, including their deceased colleagues and those at large agreed, attacked and attempted robbing Mon-Tran Ghana’s Bullion Van with Registration number GN 424-14.
They shot into the bullet proof van with AK 47 Rifles and used Royal motorbikes alleged to be Tettey’s, which were ridden by their accomplices now at large.
Boadu’s duty was to monitor the van and feed the gang with information.
GNA