Drama in court … as discharged accused attempts to prevent re-arrest

Drama unfolded at the Achimota Circuit Court in Accra, yes­terday, when accused discharged for no charged against him, held the police at bay for about an hour.

Moses Ekeh, a Nigerian, refused to leave the courtroom, in an attempt to stop the police from re-arresting him.

This was after he was dis­charged in a stealing case involv­ingother Nigerians and Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) officer.

Immediately Ekeh was dis­charged, he sat on the bench in the court room, while the police waited at the entrance to arrest him (Ekeh), while court was in session.

But, when the court rose, the police went into the facility and finally grabbed Ekeh.

However, the GNFS officer, David Ahiavi, 46, and the four other Nigerians, Jeffrey Donson, 32, Fuseini Hasmin, 41, Henry John, Salifu Jijiani, 40, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to stealing writ stealing.

The presiding judge, Mrs Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, remanded the accused in police custody till March 28.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kofi Anane told the court that thecomplainant in the case was Dove Victor, a business­man.

The prosecution mentioned the accused as Jeffrey Donson Charles, Fuseini Hashimin, also known as Osamaor one million, Henry John, also known as Lelee, Salisu Tijani, also known as Salinko.

ASP Anane said, Frank, Rotu­mi, Mickey, Soni, Oke, Pope and DD were at large.

The prosecution said Donson, John, Tijani, Ekeh, Frank, Hash­min, Rotumi, Mickey, Soni, Oke and DD, were lodging in hotel at Spintex, in Accra, while David Ahiavi is GNFS officer at the Tema Regional Headquarters.

ASP Anane said Victor report­ed to the police at Tema Com­munity 9 that thieves broke into his car and stole GH¢150,000.00, three mobile phones, a writ-watch and three body perfumes.

The court heard that the police arrested Kojo Antwi and Amponsah Bernard, both already on police wanted list for theft and other related crimes.

The prosecution said the suspects during interrogation said that they bought stolen items from a syndicate, that broke into vehi­cles and stole money and valuable items.

 ASP Anane said when Donson was arrested at Baatsona, in Accra, upon interrogation, he admitted to the offence and led the police to arrest John and Hashmin

The prosecution said Donson­told the police that Hashmin and Frank stole the complainant’s bag containing some items.

ASP Anane said when the police searched the hotel room of Donson at Spintex, they found GH¢5,940, and used body per­fume container, metallic imple­ments, and master keys, which he used to open cars to steal.

The court heard that Donson told police that the used body perfume belonged to the com­

 plainant, which was stolen from his bag, and the GH¢5,940 found in his hotel room was his share of money they stole from the complainant.

ASP Anane stated that Don­sonused the metallic implements in making master keys, which were usedin opening cars to steal items.

The prosecution said Donson led the police to Sakumono to arrest Hashmin and later to arrest Ekeh.

ASP Anane stated that a Toyo­ta Corolla Salon Car with Nigerian number plate EPE 571 GD had been retrieved for investigations.

The prosecution said Ekeh confirmed that Hashmin, John and Tijani were part of the syndicate, and led the police to arrest John and Tijani at Spintex in Accra.

ASP Anane said Tijani led the police to arrest Ahiavi, and also retrieved from his house, body perfumes, toy pistol, HP laptop, four wrist-watches, ignition to his Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with Customised number plate AHIAVI-2-23 and three defective mobile phones.

ASP Anane said John also identified himself as well as Oke and DD, capturedby a Close Circuit Television camera during a stealing operation at a shoping mall in Accra.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI