Robber in trouble over murder of cop
For allegedly shooting and killing a policeman, Nathan Kwaku Baidoo alias King Kong, a driver, is before an Accra Magistrate’s court.
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Baidoo was charged with the murder of Constable Prince Charles Akata, when he appeared before the court on May 12, 2016, but his plea was not taken.
The court, presided over by Ms Arit Nsemoh, remanded Baidoo into police custody even though his counsel appealed for bail.
Ms Nsemoh did not grant bail to Baidoo on account that the court did not have jurisdiction to grant bail to Baidoo for the said offence.
The committal process will continue on May 30, 2016, the next date of adjournment.
The facts of the case as presented by Inspector Victor Dosoo were that the complainants are police officers of the Accra Regional Charlie SWAT Unit, and the deceased was a member of the team.
The prosecutor said between September 2014 and January 2015, Baidoo formed a gang of 12, who engaged in robbery attacks in Accra and Tema.
On January 6, 2015, the SWAT Unit received information from a man (name withheld) who provided a van for the gang.
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According to the tip-off, the armed gang robbers were going to Abeka-Lapaz and Kasoa to rob people in those vicinities.
Inspector Dosoo said the unit spotted the gang at Mallam Junction in a Ford Van heading towards Kasoa and chased the van.
Upon reaching the Weija Tollbooth, the robbers realised they were being pursued by the police and proceeded to negotiate a U-turn, back to Accra.
He said the police further pursued them to the New Bortiano Junction, where the gang drove into a signpost causing the van to fall on its side.
Baidoo and his accomplices jumped out of the van and opened fire when Constable Akata attempted to arrest them. In the process, a bullet hit Akata’s lower abdomen.
He was rushed to the Police Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.
According to Inspector Dosoo, post mortem examinations by Dr Blankson Aboagye at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital gave cause of death as severe anaemia and gunshot wounds.
Baidoo then escaped to Kumasi with some of his accomplices. The police gathered information and went to Kumasi and arrested three of his accomplices but Baidoo escaped.
The Prosecutor said on December 29, 2015, the police in Sunyani, Brong Ahafo Region, managed to arrest Baidoo at Goaso in another alleged robbery case.
Baidoo, who is also believed to have a hand in a shooting incident at the Accra Mall some time ago, was handed over to the Accra Regional CID.