Koala Robbers Fight For Bail

An Accra Circuit Court has dismissed an application for bail filed by lawyers of three persons that allegedly trailed and robbed one Lydia Horsu, a marketing administrator of the Koala Shopping Centre.

The court, presided over by Aboagye Tandoh, said he was not inclined to grant bail to the accused persons because the application was filed early.

He however said that the court may consider the application at the next adjourned date.

The accused persons are Michael Edoe Ahiataku aka old Soldier, a private security guard; Gilbert Osabutey aka Obolo, shop supervisor and Frederick Sedro Kwame aka Fred, a private security guard.

Two other accomplices-Stanley Obaliko aka Mohammed Sulemana and Okoe Quarcoe, unemployed, are currently on admission at the Police Hospital due to injuries they sustained when a taxi driver knocked them with his car during the robbery.

The police have also intensified the search for two members of the gang currently on the run.

George Asamaney, lawyer for the three, who attempted to secure bail for his clients, stressed that they had been charged with conspiracy.

He argued that the charge preferred against the accused persons was bailable.

Mr. Asamaney indicated that the judge ought to have “mercy” on the accused persons and admit them to bail because they have well-meaning people in society to stand surety for them but the judge threw out the request.

Chief Supt. Duuti Tuaruka had earlier urged the court to remand the accused persons because further investigations were ongoing.

Three members of the seven-man robbery syndicate are alleged to have trailed and robbed one Lydia Horsu, a marketing administrator of Koala.

Charges

The gang is said to have at about 8am on January 9 this year, conspired and robbed the victim of her Nokia phone worth GH¢800, a black ladies’ bag valued at GH¢200, a Koala ID card, invoices and GH¢100.

Sulemana is facing an additional charge of possessing one automatic MAB foreign pistol with no PA151674189, six live 9mm ammunition and five empty cartridges.

Sulemana and Okoe are also standing trial for intentionally and unlawfully causing grievous harm to Lydia.

The three, before trial judge Aboagye Tandoh, denied the charges and were remanded to reappear on January 27, 2016.

Plot

Prosecuting, Chief Supt. Duuti Tuaruka said on January 6, the three hatched a plan to rob the shopping centre and sought the assistance of the two suspects on the run, who also in turn recruited Sulemana and Okoe to carry out the plan.

He said on January 8, all the accused persons met at the shopping centre at Cantonments in Accra and Obolo, who is the shop advisor, briefed them about the movements of Lydia and they agreed to rob her the following day.

Chief Supt. Tuaruka stated that at about 8am on January 9 Lydia came to the shopping centre at the Cantonments branch but changed her mind and decided to pick only the company’s invoices and voucher to audit them and left for the Airport branch of the shop.

The prosecutor said Obolo, who saw Lydia leaving Koala, called Old Soldier and Fred on phone, who in turn alerted Sulemana and Okoe who were on board a BMW motorbike near the centre.

Attack

Chief Supt. Tuaruka disclosed that Sulemana and Okoe trailed Lydia to a section of the road near the American Embassy at Cantonments, adding that Okoe, who was the pillion rider, alighted, pointed a pistol at the lady and ordered her to surrender her handbag to him.

The police officer held that Lydia initially refused to comply and raised an alarm which provoked Okoe to push her to the ground, forcibly snatched the bag from her, shot her twice in her left thigh and calf and sped off.

He said a cabbie, who saw the incident, chased them with his vehicle and knocked them off the motorbike, leading to the arrest of the accused person.

Lydia is currently on admission at the 37 Military Hospital.

Source: Daily Guide