Four Police constables who were arraigned for their role in the Bullion Van attacks have been charged with counts.
The charges are an attempt to commit a crime to wit; robbery and Abetment, with a civilian, said to be a scrap dealer.
The plea of the four – Constable Yaro Afisu Ibrahim, Constable Albert Ofosu, Constable Richard Boadu and Constable Rabiu Jambedu were not taken.
One other, Razak Alhassan alias Zak, who is said to be a scrap dealer was also charged.
In court on Wednesday, DSP Sylvester Asare Asare told the court that, they do not intend to take the plea of the accused persons.
“We do not intend to take their plea because the case is still under investigation and taking their plea will hamper our investigations,” DSP Asare told the court.
The court presided over by Her Honour Patricia Amponsah remanded the accused persons after hearing the parties.
Apart from Constable Albert Ofosu, who was represented by counsel, Eric Ansah, the remaining four were not represented.
The case has since been adjourned to March 28, 2022.
Brief facts
The brief facts of the case as presented to the court by DSP Asare were that the first four are police officers while the fifth is a scrap dealer.
DSP Asare told the court that, sometime in the year 2021, the Ghana Police Service administration recorded a series of street robberies as well as attacks on bullion vans.
He said the service mounted surveillance on the suspected robbers undertaking these unlawful activities within the capital.
DSP Asare said, on February 22, 2022, the Police received a report of an attack on a bullion Van with Registration number GN 424-14 at North Kaneshie, a suburb of Accra by some gunmen.
He said the Police launched an investigation into the alleged robbery which led to the arrest of Constable Reindolph Gyimah Ansah alias Pablo [deceased] who admitted the offence during interrogation.
“Further enquiries led to the arrest of Lance Corporal [L/Cpl.] Stephen Nyame [also deceased] and the accused persons herein.”
He told the court that, “the accused persons during interrogation admitted taking part in the multiple Bullion Van robberies recorded in the Greater Accra Region including, the robbery which took place in February 2021 at Kingsway opposite the Freemason Society, Baastona- Spintex road in March 2021, Jamestown-Adedemkpo incident in June 2021 which led to the untimely death of Police Constable Emmanuel Osei.”
Investigations
DSP Asare said, during the investigation the late [L/Cpl.] Stephen Nyame and Constable Reindolph Gyimah Ansah mentioned two Nigerians including Omor Niaja as accomplices currently on the run and that some of the weapons used in the robberies were with their Nigerian accomplices around Ashiaman.
On March 6, 2022, the late [L/Cpl.] Stephen Nyame and Constable Reindolph Gyimah Ansah alias Pablo led the Police to a suburb of Ashiaman to apprehend the said two Nigerians.
“The Ashiaman operation or raid resulted in an exchange of gunshots which later led to death of the two officers.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
