By Collins Agyekum Gyasi, Kumasi
A KUMASI Circuit Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amo-Yartey has sentenced a 19-year-old man to two-and-half years in prison with hard labour for illegal possession of firearms.
Akwasi Bentum, who completed junior high school (JHS) at Esereso, near Kumasi, four years ago, pleaded guilty with the explanation, that he used the locally manufactured pistol for his “business”.
Presenting the facts to the crowded court, Chief Inspector Nana C. K. Fosu, said on October 14, this year, an Oforikrom-based community protection assistant and
neighbourhood watchdog committee members, assisted the Oforikrom police to arrest the convict who had taken undue advantage of the darkness to snatch bags and mobile phones from people along the Aboabo stream at Anloga Junction.
Early on, Nana Fosu told the court that the police had received distressed calls that some young men had been attacking people with locally manufactured pistols and when they succeeded in robbing their victims they often dived into the stream and swam away with their booty.
He said armed with the information, the police and other public organisations kept surveillance and detailed men on foot patrols around the area. The police had further advised the general public to inform the security agencies any time they suspected someone with questionable character loitering in their area.
Chief Inspector Fosu said it was during one of such operations that Bentum and one other person at large were confronted. While his accomplice managed to escape, the convict unsuccessfully struggled to free himself but he was overpowered and arrested.
An on-the-spot search on Bentum yielded a locally manufactured pistol and a live cartridge loaded in the chamber of the pistol.
In his cautioned statement, the convict claimed ownership of the pistol and said he had been using it for his business.
Pressed for further explanation, he said he used it to scare forest guards on inspection in the bush. “I fire the gun to warn them (illegal chainsaw operators) to be wary of the approach of guards and take cover.”
When he was asked if he had a license, Bentum replied that his license was with his master.
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