An Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, has remanded a 50 years old security man, Selasie Torsu, and a 30 years old welder, Steven Ativie, into police custody for allegedly conspiring to rob the Manager of Engen Filling Station.
Torsu, who is the first accused (A1), in particular, is believed to have carried out a series of robberies, together with his accomplices at Tema, Takoradi, Obuasi, Spintex, Trassacco, Borteman, McCarthy Hill, Odorkor, Osu and Dansoman.
The first accused and his alleged group of bandits had also carried out robberies at Kasoa, Big Apple at Buduburam in the Central Region, Somanya and Akosombo in the Eastern Region, and Konongo in the Ashanti Region.
The accused persons were arraigned before the court yesterday on the charges – stealing, conspiracy to commit a criminal offence namely robbery, and preparation to commit an offence namely robbery – but pleaded not guilty.
The brief facts as presented by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Augustine Yirenkyi to the court, indicated that Torsu was an employee of First Command Security Company and lived at Dansoman. He added that Steven also resided at the Timber Market.
He further stated that on July 22, 2022, the first accused was detailed for guard duty at Treasury Jewellery Company Limited at Kokomlemle.
According to him, whilst on duty, a staff of the company came to park his TVS 125 motorbike at the premises, and handed over the ignition key to the first accused for safe keeping. Suddenly, the accused rode the motorbike away and was not seen again.
He stated on July 28, 2022, the first accused was detailed for duty at the Engen Filling Station at the Achimota Terminal, and that after Torsu closed from duty, he approached Steven that the manager of the Engen Filling Station brought huge sums of money to the office so they should team to rob them off the money.
The prosecuting officer added that Steven agreed and both recruited the third accused (Oshirey), who is currently at large.
He continued that the information got to the Intelligence Unit of the Accra Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and a member of the Surveillance Team of the Regional CID, was planted amongst the accused persons.
According to him, A1 told the member of the Operation Team planted amongst them to find a weapon for them to carry on with the robbery operation, and on July 29, 2022, Torsu met with him and discussed how to get a weapon, which he agreed to.
He narrated that on July 30, 2022 the first accused sent his accomplices, together with the policeman, to the Engen Filling Station and showed them the entry and exit points, saying, “he also identified the two ladies who would be on duty in the evenings of the week day.”
DSP Yirenkyi indicated that on July 31, 2022, the accused persons again met at Las Palmas Restaurant at Achimota Old Station and concluded their plans, but were arrested by the police.
He said the accused persons, in their respective cautioned statements to the police, admitted that they were going to rob the Engen Filling Station.
Torsu also confessed to stealing the TSV 125 motorbike, and other robberies that he and his other accomplices had carried out at Tema, Takoradi, Obuase, Spintex, Trassacco, Borteman, McCarthy Hill, Odorkor, Osu and Dansoman, Kasoa, Bid Apple at Buduburam, Somanya and Akosombo, and Konongo.
The second accused admitted that they were going to rob the Engen Filling Station and stated that he was recruited by the first accused person.
Case is still under investigation.
