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IT Technician, 2 others in court for robbery
Three young men who allegedly robbed a taxi driver of his GH¢ 25,000 car and sold it to another person at a drastically reduced price of GH¢ 5,000 are standing trial at the Accra Circuit Court ‘One’.
The accused, Messrs Frank Obeng also known as Khalifa, 22, trader, Richard Quaye also known as Shasey, 35, IT Technician, and Kwasi Asamoah also known as Faroy, 34, labourer, are charged with conspiracy and robbery while Mr Francis Addai, 27, driver, is charged with dishonestly receiving.
They were remanded in police custody two weeks ago by the presiding judge, Madam Afia Owusua Appiah to appear again on a latter date for continuation.
Meanwhile, the police have embarked on a search to arrest five accomplices who are on the run. They are Mr Sammy Gravity, Mr Sammy Benchem, Spanky, Asaa Dollar, and Musah Hamzah alias Alhaji.
Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the court that the complainant, Mr. Samuel Opoku was a taxi driver and a resident of Kaneshie while the accused also resided at Aunty Aku, Odokor Official Town and Sowutuom (all suburbs of Accra) respectively.
He said that on September 14, 2020, at about 4:30 am, the complainant was driving his Hyundai 110 taxi with registration number GX 5543-19 within Kaneshie when the 1st accused, Frank Obeng, hired him from Kaneshie to Awoshie-Mangoase at GH¢ 12.00.
The prosecutor said that when the taxi driver was about to get to the place, the 5th accused, Sammy Gravity (on the run) called Frank Obeng (1st accused) on a mobile phone to let the driver stop at a junction for him to come and pay the fare which the driver obliged.
He said that no sooner had the driver stopped than the 5th accused (Sammy Gravity) pointed a pistol at him (driver) and sat in the car and ordered that the complainant should move the taxi to a nearby junction where their colleagues were waiting for them.
He said that upon reaching the place, Frank Obeng (1st accused) switched off the engine and instructed the complainant to surrender his Nokia mobile phone value at GH¢ 200.00 and cash of GH¢ 380.00 to them. They took the money, pushed him out of the car and drove off.
He said that Asaa Dollar (8th accused at large) drove the car and they went and met Francis Addai (4th accused) at Ablekuma where he also took the car to Musah Hamzah (9th accused) and sold it to him at GH¢ 5,000.00 and they shared the money among themselves.
Inspector Ahiabor said that on September 16,2020, the 1st accused (Frank Obeng) was arrested at Odorkor and during interrogation he mentioned the names of the accused as his accomplices and led the police to arrest Richard Quaye (2nd accused), Kwasi Asamoah (3rd accused) and Francis Addai (4th accused).
According to the prosecutor, the 4th accused (Francis Addai) admitted the offence and told the police that he had so far received five cars namely, two Hyundai Matiz, and three Atos including the complainant’s Hyundai 110, which were all sold to Hamzah at prices ranging between GH¢4,000 and GH¢ 5,000. The police are yet to retrieve Mr Opoku’s taxi.
By Castro Zangina-Tong
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
