The Asante Abuakwa Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality has remanded two brothers into custody for robbery and theft.
Augustine Kofi Owusu, 28, pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been remanded into prison custody, with a scheduled court appearance on November 5, 2024.
His brother, Kwabena Nsiah, 31, who pleaded guilty, has been remanded into police custody and is set to reappear in court on October 31 of this year.
Their accomplice, Naomi Bruwaa, 32, charged with abetment of crime, also pleaded not guilty and will appear before the court on November 5, while another accomplice, Abenaa Pokuaa, is currently at large.
Police Chief Inspector Ruth Gborson informed the court, presided over by Mrs. Philomina Ansah Asiedu, that the two brothers were illegal miners at Nweneso Number One, where the complainant, the Chief Executive Officer of Fredua Mining Company, operated.
According to the prosecution, on October 10, at around 2:40 PM, Owusu and his accomplice, who remains at large, ambushed Kelvin Twumasi and Prince Adu, workers for the complainant, armed with a gun and a cutlass.
They forcibly seized unrefined gold valued at GH¢120,000 and fled the scene.
The prosecution stated that after the incident, the two workers reported the robbery to the CEO, who subsequently informed the Hwidiem police on October 15. This led to Owusu’s arrest at his hideout.
In his caution statement, Owusu denied the allegations, claiming he only assisted his accomplice in collecting her pay of GH¢10,000 from the company, asserting that the money had been stolen from his room by his brother, Nsiah.
The prosecution further revealed that Owusu led the police to arrest Nsiah, who admitted to taking GH¢5,100 from the total amount, stating that such arrangements had been customary between him and his brother.
Following the investigation, they were charged and brought before the court.
