Two jailed 22 years
An Accra Circuit Court last Monday jailed two persons 22 years for stealing the property of a businessman in Accra.
John Selasi Wills, alias Jonny, unemployed and Mohammed Yakubu, mobile phone repairer, pleaded not guilty to the charges of stealing.
The court, presided over by Mr Francis Obiri, sentenced Selasi and Yakubu to 20 and two years in prison, respectively with hard labour.
Prosecutor
Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) P.A. Morkeh, told the court that the complainant, Solomon Dankwah Mills, is a businessman and resides at Adenta Housing and caretaker of the house of his brother, Kwabena Wadie who is domiciled in Holland.
The convict, Selasi claimed to be a driver and carpenter.
On November 17, 2012, the convicted person and his two accomplices now at large, went to Mr Wadie's house and made away with his Mercedes Benz car, home theatre, Sony Hifi stereo, 42 inches plasma TV, UNI Plasma TV, one Sony laptop, two wrist watches and an unspecified amount of money.
Months later, Selasi approached a witness in the case that he was selling a car. The witness feigned interest, and asked the convicted person to show him the car.
The convict agreed and showed him where the vehicle was parked and the witness thereafter informed the police, who detailed personnel to the Volta Region to arrest the convict.The convict and his two accomplices got wind of the police operation to arrest them and went into hiding.
On July 24, 2013, Selasi, who vacated his place of abode, was arrested at the Spintex junction in Accra.
Convict admits offence
Selasi was interrogated and in his caution statement, admitted the offence and mentioned the witness as his accomplice.
Selasi stated that he and his accomplices went to Prince Sarpong's house and one other house, broke into them and stole similar items together with two pump action guns.
According to the prosecutor, the convict sold the pump action gun to Joseph Ampofo which was retrieved.
He also mentioned Mohammed Yakubu as the one who received five plasma TV sets but Mohammed denied receiving any items from him. After investigations, the two convicts were charged with their respective offences.