Two men have been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court over allegations that they stole 54,000 litres of petrol valued at GH¢932,040 and later set fire to the tanker transporting the fuel.
The accused persons are Alhassan Amidu, a driver, and Francis Owusu, a driver’s mate. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, stealing and causing damage. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecution, the two men were working for J.K. Narh Transport, a company involved in the transportation of petroleum products. Amidu was reportedly the driver of the tanker, while Owusu served as his mate.
The court heard that the accused had been assigned to transport 54,000 litres of petrol from Tema to Buipe in the Savannah Region. The tanker involved in the operation was reportedly valued at about GH¢980,000.
Prosecutors allege that instead of delivering the fuel to its intended destination, the two accused persons conspired to sell the petroleum product.
The prosecution further told the court that after the alleged theft, the tanker was set on fire along a stretch of road between Kawakpe and Gurupe while it was reportedly travelling towards Buipe.
Investigators believe the fire was allegedly intended to make the incident appear as though the tanker and its contents had been destroyed in an accident.
Following the incident, the accused reportedly informed the owner of the transport company that the tanker had been involved in an accident and that both the vehicle and its contents had been destroyed by fire.
However, the explanation allegedly raised suspicions, prompting the owner to report the matter to the police.
The subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of the two men.
According to the prosecution, investigators later found evidence suggesting that the tanker’s compartment seal had been tampered with. The accused persons allegedly admitted in their caution statements that they had drilled into the seal to gain access to the fuel.
The allegations presented in court have not yet been proven, and the two accused persons remain presumed innocent unless found guilty through the legal process.
The case highlights the challenges facing companies involved in the transportation of petroleum products, particularly the potential risks associated with the movement of large quantities of fuel across the country.
The alleged value of the stolen petrol, together with the reported value of the tanker, makes the case a significant financial matter.
Authorities are continuing their investigations as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and subsequent fire.
The prosecution is expected to present further evidence as the case progresses through the courts.
For now, Amidu and Owusu remain in custody following the court’s decision to remand them. They are expected to reappear before the court on August 31, 2026, when proceedings are expected to continue.
The outcome of the ongoing proceedings will determine whether the allegations against the two men are established in court.
Source: Thepressradio.com
