They described charges brought against police officers standing trial for alleged bullion van robbery, as wild goose chase.

Counsels for the officers were of the view that the charges levelled against their clients as not supposed by facts put before the court.

Jango Nuhu Esq, in particular, while praying the court to grants the accused persons bail, said as once prosecutor, he is sure that the police is only playing games with the accused persons.

He told the court presided over by Mr Patricia Amponsah yesterday that the prosecution at every adjourned date maintains that the investigation is still ongoing without fetching or supplying any substantial evidence to support their case.

The defence counsel for 21 year old No. 58525 G/Const. Rabiu Jambedu (A4), urged the court to consider his client age and grant him bail, since he is not flight risk.

He further indicated to the court that his client is young and a son of a single mother, have fixed place of abode as well as gainfully employed, therefore, must be granted bail in that respect.

The other counsels – Justin Pwavra Terwija, Eric Andah Awuah and Divine Dotse – respectively for Yaro Afisu Ibrahim, Albert Ofosu aka Cypher and Richard Boadu aka Osor, added that the court should consider the bail application, since the accused persons are gainfully employed and have people of substance who will stand surety for them.

The Prosecuting Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare vehemently opposed the bail application, saying considering the severity of offence, the accused persons may interfere with investigation.

According to him, the accused persons are on probation and yet to be confirmed as police constables, therefore, they are flight risk.

DSP Asare prior to arguing for denial of the bail application withdraw the initial charge sheet and file a new one, which does not link Razak Alhassan alias Zak, a scrap dealer to the alleged crime.

An Accra Circuit Court presided over Mrs Patricia Amponsah upheld the prosecution’s prayer and remanded the accused persons, and also discharged the lonely civilian among police officers in an alleged bullion robbery.

In the new charge sheet, seven persons including the police officer No. 58370 G/Const. Yaro Afisu Ibrahim (A1), 29, No. 58586 G/Const. Albert Ofosu aka Cypher (A2), 27, No. 58355 G/Const. Richard Boadu aka Osor (A3), 27, and No. 58525 G/Const. Rabiu Jambedu (A4), 21, had been charged with attempt to commit crime and abetment of crime.

 The rest are James (A5), Omor Nija (A6) and Philip (A7) who are currently at last.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Facts of the case as present by the prosecuting officer DSP Sylvester Asare are that A1 to A4 are Police Officers.

He said sometime in the year 2021, the Ghana Police Service Administration recorded series of street robberies as well as attacks on bullion vans.

According to him, the Service mounted s surveillance on the suspected robbers undertaking these unlawful activities within the capital and on February 22, 2022, the Police received a report that some armed had attacked a bullion van with Registration number GN 424-14 at North Kaneshie, a suburb of Accra.

The prosecuting officer added that upon receipt of the complaint, the Police commenced investigation into the alleged robbery and investigations led to the arrest of the Constable Reindoiph Gyimah Ansah alias Pablo and Lance Corporal [L/Cpl] Stephen Nyame [both deceased].

He further told further investigation led to the arrest of the accused persons herein. During interrogation deceased officers admitted taken part in the failed robbery attacked on the bullion van and mentioned the accused persons herein and others at large as their accomplices. 

DSP Asare informed the court that preliminary investigation has disclosed that the accused persons were friends and recruits mates at the Police training School.

“Coincidentally, the accused persons including the deceased officers after their basic training were posted to the National SWAT Unit, Police Headquarters. Accused persons when posted to the National SWAT Unit undergone various tactical and specialized weapons training to equip them for function of the SWAT Unit which includes escort and protection of Bullion Vans,” he stated.

According to him, further investigation had it that sometime in February 2022, the accused persons including their deceased colleagues and those at large agreed to attacked and rob Bullion Van with Registration number GN 424-14.

He continued that pursuant to their agreement, the accused persons on February 22, 2021, unsuccessfully attacked Bullion Van with Registration number GN 424-14 at North Kaneshie Industrial Area.

He narrated to the court that the accused persons armed with AK 47 assault rifle and in their quest to rob the occupants of the Van, fired several shots in the bulletproof bullion van belonging to the Mon-Tran Ghana Ltd.

The prosecuting officer added that further investigations also had it that accused persons used two Royal motorbikes during the attacked. It has been established that A4 and one other at large were those who ride the two Royal motorbikes on that faithful day.

“However, the strikers who sat behind the riders and did the firing during the robbery attacked were A2 and Al. Interestingly, preliminary investigation has revealed that A3 role during the operation used another motorbike perambulated around the scene to monitor/ or spy to ensure the way and scene is cleared for his accomplices to strike.”

The court was told that although, the accused persons had admitted some and denied some of the robberies that occurred during the period of February 2021 to February 2022, there enough evidence on record to the effect that accused persons herein together with their accomplices agreed to attack and rob Bullion Vans.

He informed the court that police investigations continue, as strenuous efforts are being made to apprehend the other accomplices. 

The court adjourned the case April 25, 2022