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Koala robbers to serve a 30-year jail term each

The two were also given another 28 years imprisonment with three other for another charge of conspiracy.

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An Accra circuit court has sentenced the two robbers who attacked and attempted to rob a worker of the Koala shopping mall to a total of 34 years incarceration for the charge of robbery.

The two were also given another 28 years sentencing with three others for another charge of conspiracy.

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Passing his judgment the judge indicated that the prosecution in the case put out overwhelming evidence the five people connived to carry out the attack.

The victim, Lydia Horsu testifying in the case during the trial said on the day of the incident she went to the Osu Branch of Koala, and later continued to the Cantonments branch. At the Osu Branch, the victim said she did not see Osabutey in the shop. However, she met Osabutey in front of the shop when she was leaving.

The victim said while she was heading to the Airport Branch, on reaching the US Embassy area, a motorbike with two persons on board crossed her.

According to the victim, Obaliko and Quarcoe who were on the motorbike, instructed her to give her bag to them.

The victim said when she declined; Obaliko struggled with her over her bag while he held a gun in his other hand. Ms Horsu said her bag contained documents from the Shop.

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The accused persons, Osabutey, Michael Edor Ahiataku aka Old soldier, a private security man, and Frederick Sedro Kwame, were charged with conspiracy to rob, having pleaded not guilty.

Obaliko and Quarcoe sustained injuries during the robbery incident, and they were subsequently admitted to the police hospital.

Appearing before the Court, Obaliko and Quarcoe pleaded guilty to the charges of robbery.

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However, the Court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, after listening to their explanation entered a plea of not guilty on their behalf.

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Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Duuti Tuaruka said the complainant in the case was Lydia Horsu, a Marketing Administrator with the Shopping Centre, who went round daily to collect the previous day’s sales to the head office.

On January 6, 2016, 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 out the plan.

The Prosecution said on January 8, this year, around 2000hrs, all the accused persons met at the Koala Shopping Centre at Cantonments and Osabutey, who was a supervisor at the Cantonments Branch, briefed them about the movement of the complainant.

The prosecutor said the accused persons agreed to rob the complainant the following day. On January 9, at about 0800hrs, 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 moved closer to the Koala head office. Obaliko and Quarcoe trailed the complainant to a point near the American Embassy at Cantonments.

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The Prosecution said Obaliko who was then the pillion rider alighted, drew out a pistol at the complainant and ordered her to surrender her handbag to him.

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 and after which he (Obaliko) and Quarcoe sped off.

A taxi driver, who witnessed the incident, chased them with his vehicle and hit their motor.

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