Two Namesakes Remanded For Robbery

Two persons, including military personnel stationed at the Base Ammunition Depot Mitchell Camp, Tema, have been remanded in police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for robbery and possession of narcotic drugs. The court took the decision after the counsel for the accused persons had argued that his clients should be granted bail because the fact sheet did not support the charges levelled against them. The two accused persons, who bear the same name, Corporal Jacob Lartey and Jacob Lartey, an �okada� ridder were charged with the offences of conspiracy to commit crime, attempt to commit robbery and possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority. They both pleaded not guilty to all the charges proffered against them before the court. However, the trial judge, Mr Francis Obiri, refused the bail application on the grounds that the offence of robbery was not bailable. He said the law did not permit the granting of bail to persons charged with robbery, treason, subversion, murder, hijacking, piracy, rape, defilement or escape from lawful custody. The two were subsequently remanded in police custody to reappear before the court on September 29, 2014. Corporal Lartey, who was in uniform and armed with a weapon, and Lartey were said to have conspired and attempted to rob their victims in broad daylight. The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector of Police, Mr Duuti Tuareka, told the court that the complainants were Nigerians who reside at Spintex, Community 18 and Lashibi in Accra. He said on September 14, 2014, the complainants went to Global Access Western Union on Spintex road to withdraw money. On their way back home, the accused persons stopped the taxi in which they were travelling and subjected them to beatings. Chief Inspector Tuareka said one of the victims quickly ran to a nearby drinking spot and handed over the money to the sales girl for safe keeping. He said Lartey went to the drinking spot with the intention of collecting the money from the sales girl and he was arrested by the police. A search conducted by the police on Corporal Lartey revealed wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.