Driver remanded for allegedly robbing colleague of taxi
A 32-year-old taxi driver, who allegedly conspired with his wife to rob another driver of his Mazda Damio taxi cab, has been remanded in prison custody by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.
Timothy Amponsah, accused, who was charged with conspiracy and robbery, pleaded guilty with explanation.
He told the court presided over by Mrs Hathie Ama Manu, that “My judge, l am jobless, and my four children were out of school, this made me commit the crime. I am pleading to the court to tamper justice with mercy.”
The court deferred sentencing to Wednesday May 3, 2023.
Police Chief Inspector Joseph Lartey, told the court that Sampson Arhin, 28, a taxi driver, living at Ankobra in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality was the complainant.
The prosecution said accused and the wife Sheilla Omano, who was currently on the run, are residents of Asebu- Ankromah in the Central Region.
Chief Insp Lartey said the married couple decided to travel to Prestea to rob a taxi from any driver they chanced upon.
According to the prosecution, accused and the wife who arrived at Prestea to carry out the operation, spotted the complainant in his taxicab with registration number AS 9230-22, valued at GH¢30,000, and signaled him to stop.
Chief Insp Lartey said accused and the wife hired the complainant to convey them from Prestea to Dumasi to visit a friend.
The court heard that on arrival at their destination, Omano made a phone call and told Arhin that the person they visited had left to Bogoso so they should proceed to the place.
Chief Insp Lartey said in the course of the journey, Omano sat on the front passenger’s seat, and accused who sat directly behind the driver attacked him (driver) at a rubber plantation, and smeared powered pepper on his face.
The court heard that the complainant lost control of the vehicle and the engine went off and accused pushed him (driver) out of the vehicle and drove to an unknown destination.
Chief Insp Lartey said the complainant reported the incident to the police at Bogoso, and he (complainant) was given a medical form to attend hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
The prosecution said police upon investigation, arrested Amponsah at Asebu Ankromah with the vehicle, which had a different registration number, AS 2716-19.
The prosecution said following a search in the room of accused, the original number plate of the vehicle of complainant was found. —GNA
