Police investigator testifies in Nungua Supermarket Robbery trial

Accra Feb. 15, - An Investigator in the case in which a Policeman and three others are being tried for allegedly robbing a trader of GH¢45,000.00 and 1,000 dollars in a Supermarket at Nungua in Accra on Thursday mounted the witness box.

The Policeman involved in the alleged robbery General Lance Corporal Raymond Amegashie, Ibrahim Ayirebo a motor mechanic, Bright Dorkanu, a driver's mate and Stanley Akorli, a driver have been charged with conspiracy to rob and robbery.

They have pleaded not guilty before the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh.

Detective Corporal (D/C) Wisdom Dometi the investigator who was being led by Prosecution, Chief Inspector Kofi Adu said on December 13, last year, case involving the accused was referred to him by his superiors to investigate.

D/C Dometi said he visited crime scene at Nungua and Amegashie led the Police to the Abattoir Snap Check Point at Community 18, Tema where initial arrest was made by other Police personnel on duty.

Mr Dometi who is the third prosecution witness said his investigations revealed that Amegashie was stationed with Special Weapons and Statics (SWATS) Unit but was detailed as a night guard at Gloctec Ghana Limited.

The witness said further investigations revealed that Amegashie while on duty contacted Akorli to pick Ayirebo and Dorkanu with a motor bike to his duty post.

According to the Investigator, “it was there that the accused planned to rob the complainant at her supermarket at Nungua.”

D/C Dometi said on December 12, last year Akorli being a taxi driver in charge of a Toyota Corolla with Registration number GX 9514-13 picked up Amegashie who had already booked for an AK 47 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunitions and left for his official duty.

He said Amegashie and Akorli picked up Ayirebo and Dorkanu and they proceeded to the complainant’s supermarket at Nungua adding they got there between 9:00 pm and 9:30 pm.

The investigator said on reaching there Amegashie who was wielding an AK 47 rifle stepped out of the car and Ayirebo also joined him with a foreign pistol while Dorkanu stood in front of the shop spying.

He said Amegashie and Ayirebo shot severally into the air putting fear in the complainant succeeded in the robbing her.

According to the investigator, the accused took away GH₵45,000.00, US$1,000.00  and the complainant’s I-Tel mobile phone.

The third prosecution witness told the court that Akorli who was driving the taxi sped off as soon as the other accused entered the vehicle.

Witness said the accused were however intercepted at Community 18, Abattoir Snap Check Point and when Amegashie was questioned by the Policemen on duty, Amegashie told them that he was on way to his duty Post.

“Ayirebo and Dorkanu who were seated at the back looked suspicious to the men on duty. The accused tried to get out of the car,” the Witness said.

According to the investigator, the policemen on duty insisted that they searched a bag belonging to Ayirebo and that brought a scuffle between him and the Policemen on duty.

He said it was when Ayirebo insisted he would not allow Amegashie to leave the scene and that he should be arrested as well but Amegashie managed to escape from the scene.

Witness said when the Ayirebo’s bag was searched GH₵19,000.00 and US$600.00 were retrieved.

The facts presented by Prosecution indicated that the complainant, Hellen Asante is a trader operating a provision store around the Nungua Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

Prosecution said Amegashie was stationed at Tema Regional SWAT Unit, Ayirebo resides at Tema Community one, Dorkanu also resides at Ashiaman and whiles Akorli lived at Tema Gulf City.

The Prosecution said on December 12, this year, at about 9:00pm, the four accused planned to go on a robbery spree.

Prosecution said Amegashie who was detailed for a guard duty at Glotee Ghana abandoned his post with his AK 47 rifle plus 20 rounds of ammunitions.

Prosecution said Ayeribo also armed himself with a pistol.

According to the prosecution the two boarded a taxi with registration GX 9514-13 driven by Akorli and proceeded to the complainant's shop at Nungua.

Prosecution said Amegashie, Ayirebo and Dorkanu alighted from the vehicle and entered the complainant's shop amidst sporadic gunfire and robbed her of GH¢45,000.00 and US$1,000.00.

After the act the accused boarded the vehicle and sped off to Tema. The complainant reported incident to the Police.

The prosecution said Ayirebo, Dorkanu and Akorli were nabbed at the Community 18 Abattoir Police check Point and GH¢19,500.00 and US$600.00 were retrieved from them.

Amegashie, the prosecution said managed to escape with his AK 47 rifle and spent the night at Tema Motorway round about. He returned his rifle the following day.

Prosecution said Amegashie in his attempt to escape was arrested at Tsopoli Police Barrier. The accused have been remanded are expected to reappear on February 20.

GNA