The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, has exhibited a high sense of statesmanship, making him to stand tall.
This followed the decision by the IGP to order for the immediate re-arrest of the Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Mponua, Nana Barima Twum Tarbiade, and Akyem Nponiahene Nana Sarpong Baffuor Kuman kuma Awuah, including three suspected notorious armed robbers who claim to be National Security operatives.
These accused persons visited robbery attacks on workers of Summer Tide Limited at their stone quarry site at Adeiso in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
The suspects include Nana Sarpong Baffuor Kuman kuma Awuah, 59; Nana Tabiri Dade, 59; Jonathan Martey, 39; Eric Yaw Obeng, 49, Victor Ahenkora Koranteng, 37 and others who at large.
The IGP’s action was in reaction to publication to the effect that the suspected armed robbers who were arrested by Adeiso District Police Command have been released based on a so-called “order from above,” which was purported to have come from the Eastern Regional Police Command.
The said “order from above” however, sent shivers down the spines of residents and staff and management of Summer Tide Limited, whose workers were gravely injured by the fully armed robbers.
However, the IGP following the publication acted with a sense of urgency by hurriedly ordering for the re-arrest of the five gangs who have been arraigned before the Circuit Court in Koforidua in the Eastern Region for justice to prevail in the case.
They were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court on Friday, June 19, 2021, on seven charges which are conspiracy to commit crime (to wit kidnapping,) kidnapping, causing unlawful harm, stealing, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, possession of firearm and ammunitions.
At their first appearance before the court presided over by Madam Mercy Addai Kotei, the suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges slapped on them by State Attorney, Cyril Keteku.
The judge after listening to the charges and pleas admitted them to a bail of GH¢200,000 each with two sureties. The case was adjourned to July 19, 2021, for them to reappear before the court.
The Prosecuting Officer, Cyril Boateng Keteku, who is also an Assistant State Attorney, explained to the court that the first complainant in the case, Osae Kwame, 59, is a farmer while the second complainant, Alhassan Zakari, 39, is also a farmer.
The third complainant, Samuel Astu Forson, is the Chief of Adeiso who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Summer Tide Sand Winning Company.
On June 15, 2021, at about 2:00 p.m., the first complainant, Osae Kwame, was returning from his farm to Adeiso town to buy food for his farm labourers but met the accused persons who were in a convoy of three pick-up vehicles and a Jeep with registration number GS 9835-19 who stopped by him, handcuffed and abducted him into one of the pick-ups and drove him to Tank Akuraa, a farming community near Adeiso.
The police upon receipt of distress calls about the incident rushed to the village and rescued him but the accused persons sped off from the scene and invaded the sand winning site of Summer Tide Company at Obeng Yaw village also near Adeiso amidst sporadic firing of gunshots.
The second complainant, Alhassan Zakari, was shot in the left leg during the indiscriminate firing of gunshots.
They violently arrested five (5) persons at the site, whisked them into their vehicles and drove away to an unknown location.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Summer Tide Limited, Mr Samuel Atsu Forson, who is the owner of the site, alleged that he later detected that the accused persons stole GH¢96,000 at the site during the gun violence.
The five persons arrested by the accused persons were later rescued by the Kyebi Police after a wireless message was activated by the police.
At about 4:20 p.m., the accused persons were arrested by the Adeiso Police and were granted police enquiry bail on same which was Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
A search conducted in the Jeep belonging to Nana Barfuor Sarpong who claimed to be National Security operative revealed one AK-47 assault rifle, one pistol and three (3) spent shells which were retrieved by the police.
He averred that the police retrieved from the suspects some offensive weapons including pomp action guns, police and military uniforms and boots and many more.
The victims, Alhassan Zakaria and Bright Apam who sustained gunshot wounds in their legs are receiving treatment at the Eastern Regional Hospital.
Flanked by the Ewe Chief of Sapeiman-Fiase in Accra who doubles as the Chairman of Summer Tide Limited, Torgbui Agah Semaglo, Mr Forson pointed out that Nana Sarpong Baffuor Kuman kuma Awuah who is the gang leader shot the victims who are Razak Hassan and Bright Apaw.
Aside from the shooting of the two workers of the company, MrForson said the robbers succeeded in kidnapping three workers of the company namely Emmanuel Adja Torgbore, Joseph Kudadzi and Wisdom Quahi and eventually managed to handcuff them.
Mr. Forson explained that they alerted the firm’s drivers, who blocked the main Adeiso road with their tipper trucks to aid the police and some residents in arresting the suspects.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of Ghana Police Service had has taken over the case.
Stay tuned.
