Investigator testifies in Koala Shopping robbery case
A police officer has narrated to an Accra Circuit Court how five persons hatched and engineered a plan to rob Koala Shopping Centre.
Detective Chief Inspector Edward Agyei Odame, the case investigator, said on January 9, 2016, he was on duty when the Greater Accra Regional Commander had information that a motor bike with two persons on board had shot and wounded a lady near the US Embassy in Accra.
Chief Inspector Odame said during the incident, two of the robbers who were on the motor bike were knocked down by a taxi driver.
Led in evidence by Chief Supt. Mr Duuti Tuaruka, Chief Inspector Odame said during investigations Stanley Obaliko and Okoe Quarcoe, who were rescued from the mob but had fractured legs, were handed over to him.
The witness said during investigations Obaliko mentioned the name of Gilbert Osabutey, a Supervisor of Koala Shopping Centre, as the one who contracted them to rob the victim, Ms Lydia Horsu.
The investigator said he and other police officers traced Osabutey to his work place and arrested him.
Osabutey, during his arrest, mentioned one Kwame as the one who brought the idea to rob Koala Shopping Centre. Kwame also mentioned Michael Ahiataku as an accomplice.
To execute their plan, the case investigator said Ahiataku solicited the help of one Akpani, now at large, who recruited Obaliko and Quarcoe.
However, on January 8, this year, the investigator said Ahiataku met with the two robbers Obaliko and Quarcoe, in a black vehicle and he brought them to the Koala Shopping Centre to familiarise themselves for the robbery the following day.
Chief Inspector Odame said on January 9, this year, Obaliko picked up Quarcoe to the Koala Shopping Centre where Osabutey, the supervisor at Koala, had reported to work and was waiting for the victim.
The Police Officer said, however, when the victim arrived she had a change of mind to pick vouchers instead of cash.
He said on seeing that the victim had left the Koala Shopping Centre premises Osabutey informed Obaliko and Quarcoe to try and rob the victim.
Witness said Osabutey, however, warned them not to shed blood.
To confirm that the accused persons coordinated with each other, witness submitted a call log from MTN, Tigo and Airtel.
The accused persons; Gilbert Osabutey, Michael Edor Ahiataku aka old soldier, a private security man, and Frederick Sedro Kwame, who have been charged with conspiracy to rob, have pleaded not guilty.
Obaliko and Quarcoe sustained injuries during the robbery incident and they had been on admission since January 9.
Appearing before the court, Obaliko and Quarcoe pleaded guilty to the charges of robbery.
However, the court, after listening to their explanation, entered a plea of not guilty on their behalf.
Chief Supt. Mr Duuti Tuaruka said the complainant in the case was Lydia Horsu, a Marketing Administrator with the Koala Shopping Centre who went round daily to collect the previous day’s sales to the head office.
On January 6, this year, Osabutey, Ahiataku and Kwame hatched a plan to rob the shopping centre and sought the assistance of the two others, now at large, who also recruited Obaliko and Quarcoe to carry it out.
On January 9, at about 0800 hrs, the complainant went to the Koala Shopping Centre, Cantonments, but she decided to pick the Company’s invoice and voucher to audit them and left for the head office at the Airport.
On seeing the complainant leave the office, Osabutey alerted the accused persons through phone calls and Obaliko and Quarcoe boarded a BMW motor bike and trailed the complainant to the American Embassy area at Cantonments.
The Prosecution said Obaliko, who was then the pillion rider, alighted, drew out a pistol and pointed it at the complainant and ordered her to surrender her handbag.
Chief Supt. Tuaruka said Ms Horsu refused to comply and raised the alarm.
He said this infuriated Obaliko who pushed the complainant down and shot her twice in her thigh and calf, after which he (Obaliko) and Quarcoe sped off.
A taxi driver, who witnessed the incident, chased them with his vehicle and hit their motor bike.
Police investigations, however, led to the arrest of the rest of the accused persons.
Chief Supt Tuaruka said the victim was on admission at the 37 Military Hospital, responding to treatment.
Hearing has been adjourned to May 13.
Source: GNA