Soldiers, seven others granted bail over illicit arms trade
According to the police, more than 20 boxes of AK47 ammunition and a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE pistol were discovered at the residence of the accused persons.
The Accra Circuit Court has granted a GHC 200, 000 bail to a soldier, an ex-soldier, and seven other civilians standing trial for trading in firearms.
The accused persons, identified as Corporal Arafat Kunde, Ex Lance Corporal Ato Rahman Iddrisu, Mahama Makbool, Nancy Ashong, Michael Akwesi Sakyi; Alex Doste; James Mawuena, Akwesi, and Joseph Papa Quansah, are facing two counts of illicit trafficking in firearms.
The court presided over by Rosemary Baah Tosu granted them bail with two sureties and asked that they report to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police once a week, until the further determination of the case by the court.
Arrested on February 18, 2022, police said they discovered more than 20 boxes of AK47 ammunition and one Smith & Wesson SD9 VE pistol from the accused persons residences.
According to Prosecutor DSP Sylvester Asare, their investigations suggest Ex Lance Corporal Ato Rahman Iddrisu was the main supplier of the rifles.
“The investigation further led to the arrest of Michael Akwesi Sakyi and Alex Doste as accomplices, where further investigation established that Corporal Kunde was a bodyguard to suspect Kwesi Sakyi,” the prosecution stated.
“Again, investigation had it that while Corporal Kunde was in custody, he managed to contact Michael Sekyi, his boss, and informed him of extra ammunition kept in his room at Spintex road.”
DSP Asare said their preliminary investigation had established that Mahama Makbool, one of the accused persons sold one of the rifles at the cost of GH¢11,800.00
