Small scale miner found with ammunition granted bail

Augustine Badu, a small scale miner who was found with an Austrian made pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition without authority, has been granted GH¢20,000 bail with two sureties to be justified by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.

He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on June 10.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Albert Adiita told the court, presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawue, that on May 14 this year, the complainant,  a purchasing clerk, was travelling in a TD Bus from Asankragwa to Sefwi-Bekwai.

He said on reaching a section of the road between Asankran-Saa and Asankran-Kwabeng, the complainant spotted the accused in a taxi with registration number WR 2352-12 holding a pistol.

DSP Adiita said the complainant became alarmed and told the bus driver to overtake the taxi.

He said with the help of the people and the assembly member of Asankran-Kwabeng they were able to arrest Badu and handed him over to the police.

The prosecution said during interrogation by the police the accused said he had hidden the pistol in a nearby bush.

When the accused led the police to the bush an Austrian made pistol with serial number LWD 417 with 15 rounds of ammunition was found.

He said investigation conducted by the police revealed that the accused had no authority to possess the pistol and was, therefore, charged with the offence.

Source: GNA