A driver’s mate and a steel bender, who allegedly conspired with four others to rob a pastor, have been arraigned before an Accra circuit court.
The mate and the steel bender reportedly robbed the pastor of his money in various denominations amounting to GH¢15,000, flat screen televisions and mobile phones, all amounting to GH¢40,000 while he was at an all-night prayer service.
The accused, James Lawer, a driver’s mate; Wisdom Glorkpor, steel bender; Solomon Klutse and Francis Adika, were put in a court presided over by Aboagye Tandoh and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and causing unlawful damage.
The suspects also reportedly burgled a nearby house but the owner of the said house reportedly shot at one of them, subsequently leading to their arrest.
Klutse pleaded guilty with explanation and told the court that two others – Rashid and Dauda – later bolted so a plea of guilty was entered for him.
The accused persons have all been caged and the case has been adjourned to August 19, 2015 for further hearing.
The facts of the case as presented by DSP K. Bempah are that the complainants in the case are Bishop Samuel Owusu and Emmanuel Mensah Ashong, a businessman – both residents of Santeo near Nmai-Dzorn, a suburb of Accra.
He said Lawer is a driver’s mate living at Ashiaman and Glorkpor is a steel bender also residing at Santeo while Klutse is a sprayer at Ashiaman, adding that Adika is also a steel bender.
According to him, on July 15, this year, the complainant attended an all-night prayer service at Achimota leaving behind his wife, mother-in-law and children.
He said that at about 1:40 am a gang of armed robbers attacked the complainant’s house.
The prosecutor stated that according to the mother-in-law who is one of the victims, four ummasked men wielding a gun woke her up and ordered them to lead them to the pastor’s bedroom.
In addition, DSP K. Bempah stated that the victim complied and the accused entered the room and ordered the pastor’s wife to lie on the floor.
The police officer said the accused persons made away with two flat screen televisions, seven assorted Samsung Galaxy tablets, an Ipad, a travelling bag containing assorted jewelleries, all valued at GH¢40,000.
Explaining further, he said they also took away GH¢1700; $3,500 and 500 Rands.
He said on the same night the night marauders further attacked the businessman, Ashong at his house nearby but the second complainant saw one of them and shot at Lawer but all managed to flee.
DSP Bempah said upon interrogation, Lawer mentioned Glorpkor, Klutse, Rashid and Dauda as members of their gang.
By Fidelia Achama