Bank robber jailed 15 years

A 27-year-old worker of Fidelity Bank was yesterday jailed 15 years in hard labour by the Accra Circuit Court for attempting to rob the Kaneshie branch of the bank in January 2016.

The convict, Osman Abdul Gafaru, who worked as a vault assistant with the bank, and his accomplice, who is now at large, failed in their attempt to rob the bank because they were apprehended by some residents of Kaneshie.

While his accomplice, identified as Caesar, stood watch outside the bank, Gafaru was said to have entered the bank to rob it.

Gafaru pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, attempt to commit crime, unlawful entry and causing unlawful damage.

The court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, however, found him guilty of three of the offences after it held that the prosecution had proved those charges beyond reasonable doubt.

He was acquitted and discharged of the charge of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Advice

Passing judgement, Mr Tandoh said he took into consideration the fact that Gafaru had been in custody for about a year.

He advised the youth to be content with what they had and also strive for great achievements but in a lawful and dignified manner.

“Do not allow your friends to influence you to break the law, all in the name of making quick money,’’ he advised.

Incident

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu, told the court that on January 20, 2016, Gafaru and Caesar went to the bank at about 7:30 p.m. with the intention of committing robbery.

When they got there, the security man had gone to buy food and Gafaru went for the keys and then locked the main gate.

“With the aid of a pinch bar and a claw hammer, Gafaru and Caesar broke into the bank. Gafaru entered the bank to steal, while Caesar was spying,’’ he said.

Chief Inspector Adu stated that the security at post soon returned and found the gate locked. He, therefore, climbed into the yard.

“On entering the premises, Caesar attacked him with a knife and stabbed him in his right palm and on his forehead. The security man started bleeding profusely and screamed for assistance. Then a group of young men went to his aid,’’ he said.

The prosecutor added that Gafaru, on hearing the security man’s screams and the voices of the young men, tried to escape but he was apprehended and sent to the Kaneshie Police Station.

Caesar, he said, managed to escape.

Writer’s email:emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh