Stolen MP’s phone gives robbers away

The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Francis Obiri, yesterday remanded eight people in prison custody for allegedly robbing the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta South, Mr Gershon Gbediame, in his residence.

They are William Odoi, Kabiru Seidu, Zebulon Anyeteye and Buabeng Kingsley.

The others are Richard Mensah Ofori, Daniel Yemo Tetteh, Daniel Ashitey Amaah and Pennin, alias Aya.

They pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to rob and robbery and have been remanded in prison custody to reappear on March 4, 2014.

Facts of case

Prosecuting, Superintendent Duuti Tuaruka told the court that the residence of Mr  Gbediame, the MP for Nkwanta South, at Community 17, Lashibi, was attacked and robbed by armed robbers between 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. on January 11, 2014. 

The robbers, numbering eight, were armed with pump action guns and pistols.

They assaulted the people in the house, including the MP, and robbed them of six mobile phones, three laptops, two Ipads, a set of jewellery and cash of GH¢5,000 and $7,500. 

Anti-theft software

On the same day, a report was made to the police by the complainant. One of the phones was a Samsung Galaxy S4 with an IMEI No.

The prosecutor said the phone also had an anti-theft software embedded in it. 

The anti-graft was activated and the IMEI number generated cell phone number 0240952807 as the number which started using the said phone on the same day it was stolen at 5 a.m. 

He said phone number 0240952807 was traced to Odoi and Amaah, located at La-Agyeman. 

Supt Tuaruka said through frantic efforts and persistent surveillance, Odoi was arrested on February 15, 2014 and the said phone was retrieved from him. 

Upon interrogation, he mentioned Anyeteye, his cousin, as the person who had sold the phone to him at GH¢800, out of which he paid GH¢500. 

Anyeteye was also traced immediately and arrested at 1st Junction Melcom, together with Buabeng and Seidu, when he was lured to come for the remaining GH¢300. 

Search

When Anyeteye was interrogated, he mentioned Pennin as the fellow who had given him the phone to sell.

Meanwhile, Anyeteye's place of abode at La-Agyeman was searched and the original housing of the phone was retrieved from his room.

Anyeteye decided to lead the police to the hideout of Pennin and his friends at La-Agyeman.

Upon the arrival of the police, the hideout was found to be a ghetto where Indian hemp was smoked.

 Pennin was not found but his cronies Ofori, Tetteh and Amaah were found and arrested.