The Amasaman Circuit Court has granted bail of GH₵50,000.00 with two sureties to a commercial motorcyclist (Okada Rider) for attempted robbery.
Hope Nunekpeku, 21, also faces an additional charge of preparing to commit crimes, both of which he has denied.
He will make his next appearance on January 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice, named only as Dickson, is on the run.
Chief Inspector of Police Salifu Nashiru told the court presided over by Mrs Anid Marful-Sau that the complainant in the case was a driver residing in Opah while Nunekpeku, the suspect, was an Okada driver residing in Sapeiman near Amasaman in the region Greater Accra stayed.
He said that on December 4, 2023, at about 9:30 PM, the complainant parked his Sprinter Benz van on the roadside at Shikpontele after closing time, waiting to deliver money and provisions to his wife, a witness in the case.
Chief Inspector Nashiru said as he was taking the items out of the vehicle, he saw a motorcycle approaching the driver’s side door.
Both people on the motorcycle watched from inside the vehicle, the court heard.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant became suspicious and questioned them.
The motorcycle moved forward and parked in front of the vehicle and not long after, the witness appeared behind them and joined the man in the vehicle.
Chief Inspector Nashiru said the couple kept a close eye on the suspects on the motorcycle.
He said Nunekpeku, who was the pillion rider at the time, retrieved a tool from his clothing.
This prompted the complainant to drive the vehicle towards them, but the motorcycle drove off into the darkness, the prosecutor told the court.
The complainant thus alerted the police motorcycle team, which was on patrol in the area, he said.
Chief Inspector Nashiru said the team followed suit and the suspect was arrested with a machete hidden in his T-shirt.
The prosecutor said the complainant identified Nunekpeku as the passenger rider and he was escorted to the Amasaman Divisional CID where a formal complaint was lodged, adding that Dickson managed to escape on the getaway motorcycle.
In his forewarned statement, Nunekpeku only mentioned the name of his accomplice as Dickson, but failed to lead police to him.
After investigation, he was charged with the offences.