Thursday, June 4, 2009

Trial of alleged police robbers - Blood-stained items tendered in evidence

Thursday, June 4, 2009 (Page 47 Lead)

THE blood-stained shirt and handkerchiefs of Mr Kwaku Duah, the businessman who was allegedly assaulted and robbed by seven police officers and six civilians, were yesterday tendered in evidence at the Accra Circuit Court.
The investigator in the case, Detective Sergeant Edward Agyei-Odame, tendered in evidence a blue jeans and bathroom slippers that Mr Duah wore on the day he was attacked and robbed by the accused persons.
The accused persons are DSP Patrick Kwapong of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Thomas Adu, Sergeant John Agyapong, Corporal Lawrence Dennis Quansah, Lance Corporal Karma Mantra, Constable Benjamin Blejumah, Aams Amanor, a civilian friend of Mr Duah, 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 taken 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.
Led by a Chief State Attorney, Ms Cynthia Lamptey, to give his evidence-in-chief at the court’s sitting in Accra yesterday, Sgt Agyei-Odame also tendered in evidence the medical report on Mr Duah as exhibit.
He told the court that Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Bright Oduro, then Deputy Commander of the Greater Accra Regional Police, summoned him (Sgt. Agyei-Odame) to his office on February 3, 2009 around 10a.m. and asked him to investigate an alleged attack and robbery of Mr Duah.
He said Mr Duah, Aams, Tawiah, Ampofo, Gyasi and Mr George Agbelengor, the manager of the hotel where Mr Duah was attacked and another person, whom he could not recall, were also present in Mr Oduro’s office when he approached him to take over the case.
According to the investigator, Mr Oduro handed over to him (investigator), Adu’s compulsory retirement letter, which was reported to have been found on the hotel premises for further investigations.
He said DSP Kwapong, Cpl Agyapong and Cpl Quansah were also invited by Mr Oduro for interrogation.
He also informed the court that Adu admitted going to the hotel in the company of Sgt Agyapong and Cpl Quansah upon instructions from DSP Kwapong.
Mr Agyei-Odame told the court that Mr Duah said he was slapped by Adu and further removed an envelope from his (Mr Duah’s) pocket, but Adu denied the allegation.
The witness said he and a colleague of his later proceeded to the hotel after statements had been taken from the accused persons.
He said he and his colleague met the manager of the hotel, who confirmed there had been a robbery attack on Mr Duah on February 2, 2009.
Mr Agyei-Odame said they (he and his colleague) were led to the room occupied by Mr Duah and there they observed that the door had forcibly been broken into with its locks damaged.
He said Mr Duah’s personal effects, among others things, were scattered on the floor, adding that they then proceeded to the Officers Mess at the Tesano Police Depot, where Mr Duah was taken to after his attack and robbery.
The witness informed the court that he investigated Aams, who happened to be the personal friend of Mr Duah and later took the telephone numbers of Aams, Adu and Kwapong and sent them to the MTN offices to establish whether or not they had communicated with Jeffrey either prior to or on the day of the assault and robbery.
He said an itemised bill from the MTN offices proved that Jeffrey, Adu and Kwapong had communicated from February 2 to February 4, 2009.
Hearing continues on Monday, May 8, 2009.

No comments: