Attack took less than 5 minutes - Witness

Friday, May 22, 2009 (Page 3 Lead)

A PROSECUTION witness yesterday told the Accra circuit court hearing the case involving six policemen and six civilians who are alleged to have robbed a businessman that the attack on and robbery of the businessman took less than five minutes.
Mr George Kojo Agbelengo told the court that the incident was so swift that he had difficulty recalling some of the accused persons and other details of the incident which occurred at the hotel where he happens to be the manager.
He said he was able to recognise one of the accused persons, Chief Inspector Thomas Adu, because of the active role he (Adu) played in the assault and robbery of Mr Kwaku Duah on February 2, 2009.
The witness also explained that a paper fell from Adu’s pocket while he (Adu) and Mr Duah were in a struggle.
According to the witness, that paper later turned out to be Adu’s compulsory retirement letter.
Chief Inspector Adu is standing trial with DSP Patrick Kwapong of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Ghana Police Service, Sergeant John Agyapong, Corporal Lawrence Dennis Quansah, Lance Corporal Karimu Muntari, Constable Benjamin Blejumah, Aams Amanor, a civilian friend of the complainant’s, Kwasi Tawiah, Peter Kwame Gyasi, alias Kwame Tawiah, and Bismark Ampofo.
Constable Ken Duodu Acheampong, Jeffrey Kwame Attah, alias Kay, and three others whose names were not provided are on the run.
DSP Kwapong has been charged with one count of conspiracy, while the other accused persons have been charged with conspiracy and robbery. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been refused bail by the court, presided over by Mr Mahamadu Iddrisu.
They were alleged to have robbed Mr Duah, who lives in Europe, at a hotel in Accra and took away $53,000, €1,000 and GH¢2,000.
They were also alleged to have robbed the victim of a black bag containing two compact disc Walkman players, a set of keys, a digital camera, a cheque book and other items all valued at $4,000.
Answering questions under cross-examination from counsel for Adu, Mr Kwame Nyankon-Tetteh, the witness informed the court that he could not remember the colour and size of the envelope which was removed from Mr Duah’s pocket because everything happened so fast.
He also told the court that he met Adu at the Greater Accra Regional Office of the Ghana Police Service after the incident but denied that he (witness) was able to identify Adu in court because he had met him at the Accra Regional Office.
The witness also denied an assertion from the prosecution that he (witness) met Mr Duah at the hotel around 7:45 p.m. on May 15, 2009.
Answering questions under cross-examination from counsel for Quansah, Mr Ekow Korsah, the witness said some of the policemen who attacked and robbed Mr Duah had earlier emerged from Mr Duah’s room with two civilians.
Mr Agbelengo informed the court that one of the accused persons who emerged from Mr Duah’s room was carrying a plastic bag.
He also told the court that the window to Room 108 where Mr Duah lodged was about three feet from the ground.
The witness could not identify Quansah as having been at the scene of the incident.
Mr Agbelengo told the court during cross-examination from counsel for Blejumah that he could not identify Blejumah as one of the policemen who attacked and robbed Mr Duah.
He also stated that he did not see guns when the police arrived.
Hearing continues today.