Four robbery suspects discharged
Four robbery suspects who have been on remand for the past three years gained their freedom yesterday when the Accra Circuit Court discharged them for want of prosecution.
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The four, Emmanuel Gbetor, driver; Freeman Fancy, businessman; Richmond Azeinge, electrician and Dominic Senyo, a student, had since January 31, 2012 been on remand for allegedly robbing a Toyota Highlander valued at GH¢35,000.
After 79 adjournments, continuous absence of the investigator, prosecutor and complainant from court – the court decided to grant them their freedom.
Reasons for discharge
Discharging the accused persons, the court, presided over by Mr Francis Obiri, chided the investigator, Philip Kwaku Perdison, and the prosecutor for absenting themselves consistently while the accused persons languished in cells.
It also emerged that the last time the prosecution made it to court was in June 2013.
Mr Obiri said the court’s records showed that its previous orders to the prosecution to begin calling witnesses in the case had not been heeded to.
The presiding judge said, the matter had since December 12, 2014 been adjourned nine times.
He said that was a clear indication of the state’s lack of interest to prosecute the case.
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Mr Obiri then proceeded to free the accused persons who exhibited joy at the court’s decision.
Charges
Emmanuel, Freeman and Richmond had pleaded not guilty to three counts each of conspiracy, robbery and causing unlawful harm.
Dominic also pleaded not guilty to one count of dishonestly receiving.
Facts of the case
On January 31, 2012, Emmanuel, Freeman and Richmond were arrested by police officers on night patrol duties after they had allegedly committed robbery at Community 18, Lashibi, Accra.
The three, according to the police, confessed to snatching the Toyota Highlander and other vehicles during their nefarious activities.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, who had gone to shop at a supermarket at Community 18 was about to drive off when one of the accused persons drew her attention to a faulty back tire.
The complainant got down from the vehicle to check on the said faulty tire but was attacked by the accused persons who later drove off with the vehicle.
A shop owner who had attempted to assist the complainant was also attacked with knives.
Arrests
Emmanuel, Freeman and Richmond were picked up later and during interrogation, they mentioned Dominic as the one who purchased the vehicle from them.
Dominic was also said to have confessed to buying a total of seven different vehicles from the other accused persons.
He also informed investigators that he had sold the Toyota Highlander with registration number GW 9838 Z to a man by name Yovu in Togo for an amount of GH¢7,000 and had received GH¢3,500 as the first instalment.
Dominic was also alleged to have confessed to receiving GH¢500 as commission from the three other accused persons for selling the vehicle.
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However, the court had no option than to discharge the four accused persons after the prosecution had failed to prosecute them.